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恃强凌弱 (shì qiáng líng ruò) — to bully the weak by relying on one's strength (idiom)

Definition

A formal chengyu meaning to bully the weak by relying on one's strength — typically used to criticize powerful people or institutions, not casual interactions.

idiom
to bully the weak by relying on one's strength (idiom)

Examples

  • 恃强凌弱，。
    Tā jīng cháng shì qiáng líng ruò, dà jiā dōu tǎo yàn tā.
    He often bullies the weak by relying on his strength, and everyone dislikes him.
  • 恃强凌弱，。
    Wǒ men bù néng shì qiáng líng ruò, yào bāng zhù ruò xiǎo.
    We must not bully the weak; we should help the weak.
  • 恃强凌弱，。
    Zhè ge lǎo bǎn shì qiáng líng ruò, yuán gōng dōu hěn hài pà.
    This boss bullies the weak, and the employees are all afraid.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

恃强rely on strength
恃shìrely on强qiángstrength
动宾Verb + object
凌弱bully the weak
凌língbully弱ruòweak
动宾Verb + object

恃 强 and 凌 弱 run side by side: relying on strength to bully the weak.

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
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
寺
寺sì恃shì
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

恃 combines 心 (heart) with 寺, which gives its sound.

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 強; 强 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 強 pairs an insect component with a sound component; this explains 強, not the simplified 强.

Open 强 →

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
夌
夌líng凌líng
Same sound today

In 凌, the left part 冫 relates to ice, while the right part 夌 gives the pronunciation.

Open 凌 →

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

  • 弓弓gōngbow
  • 彡彡shānhair, meaning "decoration" in this case

弱 pairs 弓 (bow) with 彡 (hair), showing a decorative bow that is functionally inferior, or a shaking, worn-out bow.

Open 弱 →
Appears in
Conflict & AgreementIdioms & Set Phrases

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