Meaning and Usage
The character 恶 (è) primarily means 'bad,' 'evil,' or 'wicked.' It can describe morally bad behavior, malicious intent, or unpleasant physical sensations like nausea.
Common Collocations
- 恶劣 (èliè): very bad or vile, often used to describe behavior or conditions.
- 恶意 (èyì): malicious intent or ill will.
- 恶心 (ěxīn): feeling nauseous or disgusted.
Usage Notes
When used to describe people or actions, 恶 often implies strong disapproval or moral condemnation. In medical or physical contexts, 恶心 specifically refers to nausea rather than moral badness.
Avoiding Confusion
Don't confuse 恶 (è) with similar-sounding words like 饿 (è, hungry). Also, 恶心 as 'nausea' is different from its literal meaning of 'evil heart.' Context clarifies the meaning.
Register and Tone
This character is neutral to formal in tone and appears in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in formal or literary contexts.