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轻视 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
轻视qīngshìcontemptHSK 7, b, 17 strokes, rank #13405, Very Hard
轻视qīngshìcontemptuousHSK 7, b, 17 strokes, rank #13405, Very Hard
轻视qīngshìto despiseHSK 7, b, 17 strokes, rank #13405, Very Hard
轻视qīngshìto scornHSK 7, b, 17 strokes, rank #13405, Very Hard
轻视qīngshìscornfulHSK 7, b, 17 strokes, rank #13405, Very Hard
qīngshì(qing1shi4)qing shi T1
  1. 1contempt
  2. 2contemptuous
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March 24, 2026

轻视(輕視)qīngshì(qing1shi4)

轻视 (qīng shì) means to hold someone or something in low regard, often expressing disdain or contempt. It is commonly used to describe attitudes where someone dismisses the value or significance of another person or concept, reflecting a judgmental perspective.

Strokes17Frequency#13405DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, showing respect is fundamental, so using the term 轻视 can reflect serious social consequences, especially in interpersonal relationships. It underscores the value placed on harmony and mutual respect in Chinese society.

Memory tip

Imagine a light (轻) feather being blown away by a strong wind, symbolizing how easily you can dismiss something you don't value. The character 视 (shì) means 'to look' or 'to see,' so picture someone looking down on something as if it were as light as a feather.

Meanings of 轻视

qīngshì(qing1shi4)
1contempt
2contemptuous
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 轻视

轻视Simplified
輕視Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
区别词distinguishing word (dist.)Part of Speech
#13405Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 轻视

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Podcast: 轻视

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AI study notes for 轻视

Quick Contrast

轻蔑 (qīngmiè) vs 轻视 (qīngshì): 轻蔑 emphasizes a stronger sense of contempt or scorn, while 轻视 conveys a more general disregard or low regard.

Usage Notes

When using 轻视, be cautious of the context, as it can imply strong negative feelings. It is more formal and should be avoided in casual conversations unless discussing serious topics. Common collocations include 轻视他人 (to despise others) or 轻视自己的能力 (to underestimate one's own abilities).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 轻视 connects to themes of judgment and perception found in other Level 5 vocabulary. Students should focus on using it in sentences about evaluations or opinions, and practice with synonyms like '鄙视' (bǐ shì) for deeper understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 轻视 with 轻松 (qīng sōng), which means 'relaxed' or 'easy.' A wrong example would be saying '我轻视这件事,因为它很轻松' (I despise this matter because it's easy), which mixes up the meanings. The correct usage would focus on the contempt aspect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 轻视

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Component characters

轻qīnglight
HSK 49 strokes车
View full entry
视shìto look at
HSK 18 strokes见
View full entry

How to say contempt in Chinese

“contempt” in Chinese is轻视qīngshì

轻视 (qīng shì) means to hold someone or something in low regard, often expressing disdain or contempt. It is commonly used to describe attitudes where someone dismisses the value or significance of another person or concept, reflecting a judgmental perspective.

When to use 轻视

When using 轻视, be cautious of the context, as it can imply strong negative feelings. It is more formal and should be avoided in casual conversations unless discussing serious topics. Common collocations include 轻视他人 (to despise others) or 轻视自己的能力 (to underestimate one's own abilities).

轻视 or something close to it

轻蔑 (qīngmiè) vs 轻视 (qīngshì): 轻蔑 emphasizes a stronger sense of contempt or scorn, while 轻视 conveys a more general disregard or low regard.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 轻视 with 轻松 (qīng sōng), which means 'relaxed' or 'easy.' A wrong example would be saying '我轻视这件事,因为它很轻松' (I despise this matter because it's easy), which mixes up the meanings. The correct usage would focus on the contempt aspect.

Write 轻视

轻
视

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Grammar patterns of 轻视

轻视 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

在大不里士没人敢____行刑者。

No man in Tabriz trifled with the executioner.

Example sentences for 轻视 (3)

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1
在大不里士没人敢轻视行刑者。

zài dà bù lǐ shì méi rén gǎn qīngshì xíng xíng zhě。

No man in Tabriz trifled with the executioner.
2
失败者对奖品的轻视纯粹是吃不到葡萄说葡萄酸.

shībài zhě duì jiǎngpǐn de qīngshì chúncuì shì chī bù dào pútao shuō pútao suān.

The loser's scorn for the award is pure sour grape.
3
只因人穷就轻视他是不对的.

zhī yīn rén qióng jiù qīngshì tā shì bùduì de.

It is wrong to disdain a man merely becuse he is poor.

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Frequently asked questions about 轻视

While both mean to despise, 轻视 is more about underestimating someone or something, while 鄙视 has a stronger connotation of contempt.

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