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贬义 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
贬义biǎnyìderogatory senseHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, rank #26343, Very Hard
贬义biǎnyìnegative connotationHSK 7, v, 11 strokes, rank #26343, Very Hard
biǎnyì(bian3yi4)bian yi T3
  1. 1derogatory sense
  2. 2negative connotation
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March 24, 2026

贬义(貶義)biǎnyì(bian3yi4)

贬义 (bian3 yi4) refers to a derogatory sense or negative connotation associated with a word or expression. It is commonly used in discussions about language and semantics, highlighting words that carry unfavorable meanings or implications in specific contexts.

Strokes11Frequency#26343DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, language plays a crucial role in communication, and understanding connotations is vital for effective expression. The concept of 贬义 is often discussed in the context of social interactions, where words can impact relationships significantly.

Memory tip

Think of 贬 (bian3) as a 'ban' on positive feelings, where the component '贝' (shell) represents value that is being diminished. The pronunciation 'bian' sounds like 'ban,' which helps you remember that this character relates to something negative.

Meanings of 贬义

biǎnyì(bian3yi4)
1derogatory sense
2negative connotation
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 贬义

贬义Simplified
貶義Traditional
11Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#26343Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 贬义

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Podcast: 贬义

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AI study notes for 贬义

Quick Contrast

贬义 (derogatory sense) vs 反义 (antonym) — use 贬义 when discussing negative connotations specifically, while 反义 refers to words with opposite meanings.

Usage Notes

This term is typically used in academic or formal discussions about language. Be careful not to confuse it with its antonym, 称义 (cheng1 yi4), which means 'positive connotation.' Pay attention to the tones, as mispronouncing them can lead to misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 贬义 connects to other words related to language and meaning such as 语义 (yu3 yi4, semantics) and 词汇 (ci2 hui4, vocabulary). Focus on understanding its application in literary analysis and critical discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 贬义 with its positive counterpart, resulting in incorrect usage. For instance, saying '这个词是贬义的' (This word is derogatory) without providing a context might be too vague; specifying the word would be clearer.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 贬义

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Component characters

贬biǎnto diminish
HSK 78 strokes贝
View full entry
义yìjustice
HSK 53 strokes丿
View full entry

How to say derogatory sense in Chinese

“derogatory sense” in Chinese is贬义biǎnyì

贬义 (bian3 yi4) refers to a derogatory sense or negative connotation associated with a word or expression. It is commonly used in discussions about language and semantics, highlighting words that carry unfavorable meanings or implications in specific contexts.

When to use 贬义

This term is typically used in academic or formal discussions about language. Be careful not to confuse it with its antonym, 称义 (cheng1 yi4), which means 'positive connotation.' Pay attention to the tones, as mispronouncing them can lead to misunderstandings.

贬义 or something close to it

贬义 (derogatory sense) vs 反义 (antonym) — use 贬义 when discussing negative connotations specifically, while 反义 refers to words with opposite meanings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 贬义 with its positive counterpart, resulting in incorrect usage. For instance, saying '这个词是贬义的' (This word is derogatory) without providing a context might be too vague; specifying the word would be clearer.

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贬
义

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Frequently asked questions about 贬义

贬义 refers to derogatory meanings, while 褒义 (bao1 yi4) refers to positive or commendatory meanings.

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