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非人 (fēi rén) — inhuman, inhumane; not the right person; unsuitable person (for a role); also: villain (literary)

Definition

Literary word for 'inhuman / inhumane,' used to condemn brutal treatment, conditions, or methods. Almost always modifies a noun (非人的待遇/手段) rather than describing a person directly.

adjective
inhumaninhumanenot the right personunsuitable person (for a role)also: villain (literary)

Examples

  • 非人。
    Zhè zhǒng fēi rén de dài yù ràng rén wú fǎ rěn shòu.
    This kind of inhuman treatment is unbearable.
  • 非人。
    Tā jué de zì jǐ bèi dàng zuò fēi rén lái duì dài.
    He felt he was treated as inhuman.
  • 非人。
    Zhè jiā gōng sī jìng rán yòng fēi rén de shǒu duàn lái yā zhà yuán gōng.
    This company actually uses inhuman methods to exploit employees.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

非fēinot
人rénperson

非 “not” and 人 “person” combine to mean not human or unsuitable as a person.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 非 is drawn from two wings facing opposite directions. It later came to be used for going against or not being.

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A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 人 shows a side view of a standing person, with an arm and a leg.

Open 人 →
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Personality & Traits

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