嬉笑怒骂 (xī xiào nù mà) — (idiom) a mixture of jest and earnest criticism; a style that freely alternates between humor and anger

Definition

A four-character idiom for a writing or speaking style that freely mires laughter, anger, and scolding together. Often used to praise bold, unconstrained expression.

idiom
a mixture of jest and earnest criticisma style that freely alternates between humor and anger

Examples

  • 嬉笑怒骂，。
    Tā de wén zhāng xī xiào nù mà, jiē chéng wén zhāng.
    His writing mixes jest and criticism, and it all becomes fine literature.
  • 嬉笑怒骂，。
    Zhè wèi píng lùn jiā yǐ xī xiào nù mà de fēng gé zhù chēng, ràng rén yòu xiào yòu pà.
    This critic is known for a style that mixes humor and scolding, making people both laugh and fear.
  • 嬉笑怒骂，。
    Zài biàn lùn zhōng tā xī xiào nù mà, jì néng dòu lè yòu néng yán lì fǎn bó.
    In debates he mixes jest and earnestness, able to entertain and also refute harshly.

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.

嬉笑play and laugh
嬉xīplay笑xiàolaugh
联合Side by side
怒骂angry scolding
怒nùangry骂màscold
偏正Modifier + head

嬉笑 (play and laugh) and 怒骂 (angry scolding) stand in parallel, describing a style mixing humor and anger.

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
女女nǚ
Sound part声符shēngfú
喜
喜xǐ嬉⁰xī
Same sound today

嬉 has 女 on the left and 喜 on the right; the 喜 part gives the sound and means joy.

Open 嬉 →

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
犬犬quǎndog
Sound part声符shēngfú
艸
艸cǎo笑xiào
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

An early 笑 used the grass 艸 for the sound and the dog 犬 for the meaning; later it was written with 竹 and 夭.

Open 笑 →

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
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
奴
奴nú怒nù
Same sound today

怒 pairs 心 (heart) with 奴, which is used for its sound rather than its meaning of slave.

Open 怒 →

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 罵; 骂 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
网网wǎng
Sound part声符shēngfú
馬
馬mǎ罵mà
Same sound today

The traditional form 罵 uses 网 (a net) for the meaning and 馬 for the sound; the simplified 骂 is a later shorthand.

Open 骂 →

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