贬损 (biǎn sǔn) — to disparage, to denigrate, to speak unfavorably of (someone or something)

Definition

贬损 (biǎn sǔn) means to actively knock someone or something down in words to make them look worse — a stronger, more hostile act than mere criticism.

verb
to disparageto denigrateto speak unfavorably of (someone or something)

Examples

  • 贬损。
    Tā jīng cháng zài bèi hòu biǎn sǔn bié rén.
    He often disparages others behind their backs.
  • 贬损。
    Zhè piān wén zhāng gù yì biǎn sǔn duì shǒu de chǎn pǐn.
    This article deliberately denigrates the competitor's products.
  • 贬损。
    Bú yào wèi le tái gāo zì jǐ ér biǎn sǔn tā rén.
    Don't disparage others just to elevate yourself.

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.

贬biǎndemote/disparage
损sǔndamage

“贬” (demote/disparage) and “损” (damage) combine to mean speak unfavorably so as to harm someone’s standing.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 貶; 贬 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 貶 pairs 貝 (shell) with 乏 giving the sound; the simplified 贬 is a later shorthand.

Open 贬 →

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 損; 损 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
員
員yuán損sǔn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 損 pairs 手 (hand) with 員 as a sound part; the simplified 损 is a later shorthand, so its visible parts are not the original components.

Open 损 →

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