📖 Meaning
Describes someone who has committed grave crimes or terrible evil deeds. It implies the burden of sin is profound and the offenses are extremely serious. Often used to condemn morally outrageous conduct.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to the Northern Song dynasty writer Ouyang Xiu, who wrote in his letter 'To My Fourteenth Brother' (《与十四弟书》): 'My crimes are deep and heavy, yet I have not died out on my own.' Over time the expression came to describe people whose evil deeds are extremely grave. It later appeared in Ming dynasty vernacular fiction, such as Ling Mengchu's 'Slapping the Table in Amazement' (《二刻拍案惊奇》), where it was used to condemn wasteful or destructive behavior.
💡 Example Usage
他害得那么多人倾家荡产，真是罪业深重。
He brought so many people to ruin and bankruptcy; his sins are truly grave.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 罪业深重
- Pinyin: zuì yè shēn zhòng
- Literal Translation: sin, karma, deep, heavy
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4