📖 Meaning
This idiom refers to malicious and abusive language used to insult, slander, or verbally attack others. It describes speech that is deliberately hurtful and degrading, typically employed to demean or humiliate the target. The phrase emphasizes the cruel and offensive nature of the words spoken.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom is a compound expression formed by combining two related concepts: 恶言 (malicious words) and 詈辞 (abusive language). The character 詈 specifically denotes scolding or cursing at someone, while 辞 refers to speech or language. As a paired construction, the phrase appears in classical Chinese literature describing situations where individuals used venomous language to attack others. No single definitive origin story or source text is associated with this particular combination.
💡 Example Usage
他受人挑拨，对朋友恶言詈辞，事后懊悔不已。
Egged on by others' provocation, he hurled abusive insults at his friend and deeply regretted it afterward.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 恶言詈辞
- Pinyin: è yán lì cí
- Literal Translation: evil words, scolding language
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4