Definition
是非 has two main meanings: (1) 'right and wrong' — the standard noun for moral correctness, more direct than 长短 which adds 'merits and demerits'; (2) 'gossip-driven trouble' — disagreements caused by rumors, unlike the verbs 争吵/吵架 which describe the act of arguing.
noun
right and wrongcorrect vs. incorrectdisputequarreltrouble (typically gossip-driven)
Examples
- 是非，。Wǒmen yào xuéhuì fēnbiàn shì fēi, bù néng rén yún yì yún.We must learn to distinguish right from wrong, not just follow what others say.
- ，。Tā lǎo zài tóngshì zhījiān bānnòng shì fēi, dàjiā dōu hěn tǎntǎo yàn tā.He is always stirring up trouble among colleagues, and everyone dislikes him.
- ，是非。Zuòrén yào hòudao, búyào sìchù rě shì fēi.One should be decent and not invite trouble everywhere.
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