Correct
凶 vs 凶恶
/ xīong vs xiōngè /
Strokes
Definition
Here’s a clear breakdown of the differences between 凶 (xiōng) and 凶恶 (xiōng'è) in Chinese:
1. 凶 (xiōng) – "Fierce, Violent, Inauspicious"
Meaning:
- Can describe people, animals, or situations that are fierce, violent, or unlucky.
- More general and flexible in usage.
- Sometimes used in neutral or figurative contexts (e.g., "bad luck").
Usage:
✅ For people/animals:
- 这个人很凶。 (This person is fierce/mean.)
- 那只狗看起来很凶。 (That dog looks aggressive.)
✅ For situations/luck:
- 今年运势很凶。 (This year’s fortune is inauspicious.)
- 凶多吉少 (idiom: more bad than good luck)
✅ Collocations:
- 凶狠 (xiōnghěn, cruel)
- 凶猛 (xiōngměng, ferocious, for animals)
- 凶兆 (xiōngzhào, bad omen)
2. 凶恶 (xiōng'è) – "Savage, Evil, Malevolent"
Meaning:
- Stronger and more negative than 凶.
- Describes extreme cruelty or evil, often with moral judgment.
- Used for people, behavior, or appearances (rarely for animals/luck).
Usage:
✅ For people/behavior:
- 罪犯的面目非常凶恶。 (The criminal’s face looked extremely vicious.)
- 凶恶的敌人必须被消灭。 (The savage enemies must be eliminated.)
✅ Collocations:
- 凶恶的歹徒 (xiōng'è de dǎitú, vicious criminal)
- 凶恶的侵略者 (xiōng'è de qīnlüèzhě, brutal invader)
✅ Not used for animals/nature:
❌ "老虎很凶恶。" (Unnatural – use 凶猛 instead.)
3. Key Differences
| Feature | 凶 (xiōng) | 凶恶 (xiōng'è) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Fierce, violent, unlucky | Savage, evil, malevolent |
| Intensity | Moderate | Stronger, more negative |
| Usage Scope | People, animals, luck | Mostly people/behavior |
| Moral Judgment | Neutral or negative | Strongly negative |
| Example | 狗很凶。 (The dog is fierce.) | 歹徒很凶恶。 (The thug is vicious.) |
4. When to Use Which?
Use 凶 for:
- Aggressive animals (凶猛 for animals is better).
- People with a fierce temper.
- Bad luck/omens (e.g., 凶兆).
Use 凶恶 for:
- Criminals, villains, or evil acts.
- Extreme cruelty (e.g., 凶恶的杀手).
Final Tip:
- 凶 = General fierceness (animals, people, luck).
- 凶恶 = Extreme evil (people/behavior only).
Example
凶 and 凶恶 both are adjectives meaning "fierce". 凶 also means "murder, unfortunate, very severely, etc.
凶 and 凶恶 are interchangeable in examples ① and ②, but not in example ③ because in example ③ means "to a high degree".
1
Nāwèi
那位
jīnglǐ
经理
duì
对
zhíyuán
职员
de
的
tàidu
态度
xīong
凶
(
xīongè
凶恶
)
de
得
hěn
很
。
The manager treated his staff badly.
2
Zhège
这个
lǎotóur
老头儿
de
的
yàngzi
样子
fēicháng
非常
xīong
凶
(
xīongè
凶恶
)
。
The old man looks vicious.
3
Liǎngkǒuzi
两口子
jìnlái
近来
wéi
为
shànyǎng
赡养
lǎorén
老人
de
的
shì
事
chǎo
吵
de
得
hěn
很
xīong
凶
。
The couple quarreled badly about supporting their parents recently.
凶 is also a Noun, meaning "misfortune, injury or murder", and is mostly used in set phrases.
4
Zhè
这
wèi
位
xíngzhēn
刑侦
rényuán
人员
zhìyǒngshuāngquán
智勇双全
,
cháng
常
néng
能
féngxīonghuājí
逢凶化吉
。
The scout man is intelligent and brave, and he is often able to defeat the dangers successfully.
5
Fēijī
飞机
shīshì
失事
le
了
,
wǒ
我
gūjì
估计
tā
他
yě
也
shì
是
xīongduōjíshǎo
凶多吉少
。
The plane crashed, and I'm afraid he must be very dangerous.
6
Bàotú
暴徒
qǐtú
企图
xíngxīong
行凶
,
dàn
但
wèi
未
déchěng
得逞
。
The rabble attempted to kill the man, but he failed.
Mistake
❌ "老虎很凶恶。" (Unnatural – use 凶猛.)
✅ "老虎很凶猛。" (The tiger is ferocious.)
❌ "他今天心情凶恶。" (Wrong – use 凶.)
✅ "他今天很凶。" (He’s in a fierce mood today.)