📖 Meaning
Refers to profound and intense hatred or enmity between parties. It describes a grudge so deep-rooted and severe that it is extremely difficult to resolve or forgive. Often used in contexts involving betrayal, murder, or other grievous wrongs.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to Yuan dynasty playwright Yang Xianzhi's work 'The Bitter Cold Pavilion' (《酷寒亭》), Act Four, which contains the line 'From now on, deep hatreds and accumulated grievances shall all be dissolved.' The expression gained currency as a conventional phrase denoting the most severe level of interpersonal enmity in classical and vernacular Chinese literature.
💡 Example Usage
两家人之间的深仇大恨，持续了整整三代才得以化解。
The deep and bitter hatred between the two families lasted for three full generations before it could finally be resolved.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 深仇大恨
- Pinyin: shēn chóu dà hèn
- Literal Translation: deep, enmity, great, hatred
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4