Definition
离间 means 'to sow discord' or 'to drive a wedge' between people or groups. It is a separable verb (离合词): the verb 离 and the object 间 can be split by aspect markers like 了 or 过, by measure words like 次, or by other elements (e.g. 离过两次间). The target of the discord is typically introduced with 在...之间 or 和...之间. This word is formal and often used in political, organizational, or interpersonal conflict contexts.
v.o.
to sow discordto drive a wedge between (people or groups)
Examples
- 离间,。Tā gùyì zài liǎng rén zhī jiān lí jiān, xiǎng ràng tāmen chǎojià.He deliberately sowed discord between the two people, wanting them to argue.
- 离间。Zhège yáoyán jiùshì wèile lí jiān wǒmen hé hézuò huǒbàn de guānxì.This rumor is meant to drive a wedge between us and our partners.
- ,。Tā lí guò hǎojǐ cì jiān, zuìhòu méi rén zài xiāngxìn tā le.He has sown discord several times, and in the end no one believed him anymore.
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