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丑陋 (chǒu lòu) — ugly

Definition

Formal, written word for 'ugly' — applies to appearance, behavior, or the truth. Stronger and more literary than 难看, broader in scope than 丑 (which is mostly about looks).

adjective
ugly

Examples

  • 丑陋。
    Zhè dòng dà lóu de wài biǎo fēi cháng chǒu lòu.
    The exterior of this building is very ugly.
  • 丑陋，。
    Tā de xíng wéi chǒu lòu, ràng rén wú fǎ jiē shòu.
    His behavior is ugly and unacceptable.
  • 丑陋，。
    Zhēn xiàng suī rán chǒu lòu, dàn wǒ men bì xū miàn duì.
    The truth is ugly, but we must face it.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

丑chǒuugly
陋lòucrude

“丑” and “陋” both describe something unattractive or crude, together meaning ugly.

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 醜; 丑 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 丑 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words it is 醜; in others (丑) it is 丑.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
鬼鬼guǐghost, demon
Sound part声符shēngfú
酉
酉yǒu醜chǒu
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 醜 uses 鬼, a ghost or demon, to show ugliness and 酉 for sound; that shape is about 醜, not about 丑.

Open 丑 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Appearance5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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