Meaning and Usage
"罪魁祸首" refers to the chief culprit or the main cause behind a negative event, such as a crime, accident, or problem. It is often used to point out the primary responsible party or factor.
Common Contexts
This term is frequently used in news reports, discussions about accidents, environmental issues, or any situation where identifying the main cause or culprit is important.
Collocations and Patterns
- 罪魁祸首 + 是 + [person/thing]: to identify the main culprit
- 罪魁祸首 + 往往是 + [cause]: to indicate the usual main cause
Nuance and Register
The phrase carries a strong accusatory tone and is formal. It is not used lightly and implies clear responsibility.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse 罪魁祸首 with general words for 'problem' or 'cause'; it specifically highlights the primary culprit or cause, often in a negative context.