Meaning and Usage
"厌恶" (yàn wù) expresses a strong feeling of dislike or loathing, often directed at people, behaviors, or situations that cause discomfort or moral repulsion. It is stronger than simply "dislike" and implies a deep emotional aversion.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used in formal or written Chinese to describe psychological or emotional reactions. It often appears in contexts discussing ethics, personality traits, or social behaviors.
Collocations and Patterns
- 厌恶虚伪 (yànwù xūwěi): loathe hypocrisy
- 厌恶生活 (yànwù shēnghuó): loathe life (usually hard or unpleasant life)
- 对...感到厌恶 (duì... gǎndào yànwù): feel loathing towards...
Nuances
Using 厌恶 conveys a strong negative judgment and emotional rejection. It is more intense than "讨厌" (tǎoyàn), which can mean "dislike" or "annoyed by" but is less severe. Avoid confusing 厌恶 with 讨厌 when you want to express a very strong aversion.
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This word is more formal and often found in written language, news reports, or serious discussions rather than casual conversation.