批判 (pī pàn) — to criticize (systematically, often ideologically or politically); to critique (in an academic or formal sense)

Definition

批判 means to critique systematically and analytically, especially of ideas, systems, or ideologies — more academic and reasoned than everyday 批评. Stronger than 批评, and far more measured than 谴责 ('to condemn').

verb
to criticize (systematically, often ideologically or politically)to critique (in an academic or formal sense)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 批判。
    Zhè piān wén zhāng duì chuán tǒng guān niàn jìn xíng le shēn kè de pī pàn.
    This article offers a profound critique of traditional concepts.
  • 批判。
    Tā yīn wèi pī pàn shè huì bù gōng ér bèi bǔ.
    He was arrested for criticizing social injustice.
  • 批判。
    Wǒ men xū yào pī pàn dì xué xí wài guó jīng yàn.
    We need to learn from foreign experiences critically.

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.

批pīcriticize
判pànjudge

批判 joins 批 'criticize' and 判 'judge', giving the sense of criticizing and judging.

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
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
比
比bǐ批pī
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

批 puts 手 (hand) beside 比, which gives the sound.

Open 批 →

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
刀刀dāoknife
Sound part声符shēngfú
半
半bàn判pàn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

判 combines 刀, a knife, with 半, which provides the sound.

Open 判 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Attitudes & Opinions

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.