寒碜 (hán chěn) — to ridicule, to make fun of, to embarrass (socially)

Definition

A colloquial verb meaning to mock or embarrass someone socially (publicly call out their flaws). Often used with 当众 ('in public') or 别...了 ('stop ...ing'); tone is sharp and shaming.

verb
to ridiculeto make fun ofto embarrass (socially)

Examples

  • 寒碜，。
    Nǐ bié hán chěn tā le, tā gāng lái hái bù shú xī.
    Don't make fun of him; he just arrived and isn't familiar yet.
  • 寒碜，。
    Tā dāng zhòng hán chěn wǒ, ràng wǒ hěn xià bù lái tái.
    She ridiculed me in public, making me feel very embarrassed.
  • 寒碜。
    Tā zǒng xǐ huan yòng zhè jiàn shì lái hán chěn bié rén.
    He always likes to use this matter to mock others.

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.

寒hánpoor
碜chěncoarse

寒 (poor) and 碜 (coarse) together mean shabby or embarrassing.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 宀宀miánhouse
  • 人人rénperson
  • 茻茻mǎnggrass

寒 shows 宀 (house), 人 (person), and 茻 (grass): a person sleeping in grass inside a house to keep out the cold.

Open 寒 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

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