轻敌 (qīng dí) — to underestimate the enemy; to underestimate an opponent (in competition)

Definition

轻敌 (qīngdí) means to underestimate your opponent — taken lightly rather than underestimated in ability. It pairs specifically with an adversary or rival (对手), not with self or general ability.

verb
to underestimate the enemyto underestimate an opponent (in competition)

Examples

  • 轻敌，。
    Zhè cì bǐ sài wǒ men bù néng qīng dí, duì shǒu hěn qiáng.
    In this match we must not underestimate the enemy; the opponent is very strong.
  • 轻敌，。
    Tā yīn wèi qīng dí le duì shǒu, shū diào le zhěng chǎng bǐ sài.
    Because he underestimated his opponent, he lost the entire match.
  • 轻敌。
    Zhàn chǎng shàng zuì jì huì de jiù shì qīng dí qīng bù dé.
    On the battlefield, what is most taboo is that you must not underestimate the enemy.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

轻qīngunderestimate
敌díenemy

轻 (underestimate) an 敌 (enemy) means to underestimate an opponent.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 輕; 轻 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
車車jūcarriage
Sound part声符shēngfú
巠
巠jīng輕qīng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 輕 pairs 車, a carriage, with 巠 to give the sound; it originally named a light carriage. The simplified 轻 is only a later shorthand.

Open 轻 →

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 敵; 敌 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
攴攴pūto tap; to hit
Sound part声符shēngfú
啻
啻chì敵dí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 敵 pairs 啻 as a sound part with 攴, a part for tapping or hitting.

Open 敌 →

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