📖 Meaning
This idiom refers to foul, offensive, and ugly speech. The character 躁 here functions as a loan character for 臊 (sào), meaning foul or shameful. It describes harsh and abusive language used to criticize or reproach others.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Southern Dynasties period, specifically from Liu Xie's literary treatise Wenxin Diaolong (The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons), in the chapter on memorials and petitions. Liu Xie argued that if rulers would establish proper moral guidelines—like hanging rules at the gate of propriety and planting standards along the road of righteousness—then those who violate norms would naturally face consequences. He questioned why one would need to resort to ugly, abusive language and harsh reproaches when a well-ordered system of rules could handle discipline more effectively.
💡 Example Usage
他身为朝廷命官，竟在奏疏中躁言丑句，令朝野上下为之侧目。
As a court official, he unexpectedly filled his memorial with vulgar and abusive language, drawing the appalled attention of both the court and the public.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 躁言丑句
- Pinyin: zào yán chǒu jù
- Literal Translation: agitated words, ugly sentences
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4