冷言冷语 (lěng yán lěng yǔ) — sarcastic remarks, ironic comments (idiom)

Definition

An idiom for saying hurtful things in a cold, mocking tone — sarcastic or cutting remarks. Slightly more literary than the everyday phrase 风凉话.

idiom
sarcastic remarksironic comments (idiom)

Examples

  • 冷言冷语，。
    Tā zǒng shì duì bié rén lěng yán lěng yǔ, ràng rén hěn bù shū fu.
    He always makes sarcastic remarks to others, making people very uncomfortable.
  • 冷言冷语，。
    Tīng dào nà xiē lěng yán lěng yǔ, tā xīn lǐ hěn nán guò.
    Hearing those sarcastic remarks, she felt very sad.
  • 冷言冷语，。
    Miàn duì lěng yán lěng yǔ, tā xuǎn zé bǎo chí chén mò.
    Facing sarcastic remarks, he chose to remain silent.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

冷言cold remarks
冷lěngcold言yánremark
偏正Modifier + head
冷语cold remarks
冷lěngcold语yǔwords
偏正Modifier + head

The 冷言 and 冷语 parts both mean cold remarks, together forming sarcastic comments.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
冫Written in full as仌bīngice
Sound part声符shēngfú
令
令lìng冷lěng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

冷 uses 冫, the ice form, with 令 as a sound part, to mean cold as ice.

Open 冷 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The early form of 言 shows an opening and a mark indicating a location; the location is not described as the source of speech.

Open 言 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
冫Written in full as仌bīngice
Sound part声符shēngfú
令
令lìng冷lěng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

冷 uses 冫, the ice form, with 令 as a sound part, to mean cold as ice.

Open 冷 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 語; 语 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
吾
吾wú語yǔ
Same sound today

The form 語 pairs 言 (speech) with 吾, which gives the sound; this note is about 語, not 语.

Open 语 →

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