痛斥 (tòng chì) — to denounce, to criticize harshly

Definition

痛斥 is a strong, written-register verb meaning 'to denounce harshly' — more forceful and formal than the everyday 批评, emphasizing bitter, indignant criticism. Common in journalism and official statements.

verb
to denounceto criticize harshly

Examples

  • 痛斥。
    Tā zài huì yì shàng tòng chì le zhè zhǒng bú dào dé de xíng wéi.
    He denounced this immoral behavior at the meeting.
  • 痛斥。
    Jì zhě zài wén zhāng zhōng tòng chì le zhèng fǔ de fǔ bài xiàn xiàng.
    The journalist harshly criticized the government's corruption in the article.
  • 痛斥。
    Tā tòng chì le nà xiē bú fù zé rèn de yáo yán.
    She denounced those irresponsible rumors.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

痛tòngharshly
斥chìrebuke

痛 adds harshness to 斥, giving a fierce denunciation.

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
疒疒nèillness
Sound part声符shēngfú
甬
甬yǒng痛tòng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The 疒 part means illness, and 甬 gives the sound; together they form 痛, meaning pain or hurt.

Open 痛 →

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
广广guǎngbuilding
Sound part声符shēngfú
屰
屰nì斥chì
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

An older form paired 广 (building) with 屰 (sound part); 斥 developed from that shape.

Open 斥 →

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