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耻笑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
耻笑chǐxiàoto sneer at sbHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #30439, Very Hard
耻笑chǐxiàoto ridiculeHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #30439, Very Hard
chǐxiào(chi3xiao4)chi xiao T3
  1. 1to sneer at sb
  2. 2to ridicule
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March 24, 2026

耻笑(恥笑)chǐxiào(chi3xiao4)

The term 耻笑 (chǐxiào) refers to the act of mocking or ridiculing someone, often in a contemptuous manner. It carries a sense of shame or embarrassment associated with the target of the ridicule. Commonly used in informal contexts, it can imply a personal attack on someone's dignity or reputation.

Strokes20Frequency#30439DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, losing face is a significant concern, and the act of 耻笑 can be particularly damaging to someone's social standing. It reflects deeply-rooted values around respect and dignity, making the word carry heavy implications.

Memory tip

Imagine a person laughing in an exaggerated way while pointing at someone who's embarrassed, creating a scene of shame. The character 耻 (chǐ) combines the idea of 'shame' with 笑 (xiào), which means 'to laugh.' Together, they create a vivid image of laughing at someone in a shameful way.

Meanings of 耻笑

chǐxiào(chi3xiao4)
1to sneer at sb
2to ridicule
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About 耻笑

耻笑Simplified
恥笑Traditional
20Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 耻笑

Quick Contrast

嘲笑 (cháoxiào) - use 耻笑 when emphasizing the shame associated with the ridicule, while 嘲笑 focuses more on the act of mocking itself without the same connotation of shame.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when using 耻笑, as it can come off as quite harsh and may not be appropriate in formal situations. It is often used in discussions about social behavior or criticism. Common collocations include '被耻笑' (bèi chǐxiào - to be ridiculed) and '耻笑别人' (chǐxiào biérén - to ridicule others).

HSK Study Tips

Although 耻笑 is not currently listed in the HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners at HSK 4 and above, especially when discussing interpersonal relationships and social dynamics. Students should focus on recognizing the tone and context of usage in conversations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 耻笑 with other forms of laughter, such as 笑 (xiào), which is neutral. For example, saying '我耻笑他' (wǒ chǐxiào tā - I ridicule him) may seem too strong; a more neutral expression could be '我笑他' (wǒ xiào tā - I laugh at him).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 耻笑

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Component characters

耻chǐshame
10 strokes耳
View full entry
笑xiàoto smile, to laugh; to giggle; to snicker
HSK 210 strokes⺮
View full entry

How to say to sneer at sb in Chinese

“to sneer at sb” in Chinese is耻笑chǐxiào

The term 耻笑 (chǐxiào) refers to the act of mocking or ridiculing someone, often in a contemptuous manner. It carries a sense of shame or embarrassment associated with the target of the ridicule. Commonly used in informal contexts, it can imply a personal attack on someone's dignity or reputation.

When to use 耻笑

Be cautious with the tone when using 耻笑, as it can come off as quite harsh and may not be appropriate in formal situations. It is often used in discussions about social behavior or criticism. Common collocations include '被耻笑' (bèi chǐxiào - to be ridiculed) and '耻笑别人' (chǐxiào biérén - to ridicule others).

耻笑 or something close to it

嘲笑 (cháoxiào) - use 耻笑 when emphasizing the shame associated with the ridicule, while 嘲笑 focuses more on the act of mocking itself without the same connotation of shame.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 耻笑 with other forms of laughter, such as 笑 (xiào), which is neutral. For example, saying '我耻笑他' (wǒ chǐxiào tā - I ridicule him) may seem too strong; a more neutral expression could be '我笑他' (wǒ xiào tā - I laugh at him).

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耻
笑

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Cultural Notes for 耻笑

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, ridicule may often be seen as a form of humor or satire, while in Chinese culture, it can lead to serious social consequences and a loss of face.

Frequently asked questions about 耻笑

It is best to avoid using 耻笑 in formal contexts, as it can seem disrespectful.

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