Chinese word

冤

Pronunciation

Pinyinyuān

Meaning

  • adjectiveunfair

Example

这事太冤了，我们要把真相说清。zhè shì tài yuān le wǒ men yào bǎ zhēn xiàng shuō qīng

This is so unfair; we need to explain the truth clearly.

Illustration for 冤 (unfair)

More examples

听完上诉材料，法官也认为判决很冤。tīng wán shàng sù cái liào fǎ guān yě rèn wéi pàn jué hěn yuān

After reviewing the appeal documents, the judge also thought the ruling was very unfair.

Core concept

The facts point one way, but an accusation or decision forces the harm onto the wrong person.

Common phrases

  • 太冤了tài yuān le

    so unfair

  • 判决很冤pàn jué hěn yuān

    a very unfair ruling

Similar words

无辜wú gū: Having done nothing wrong and having no reason to be blamed.
清白qīng bái: Free from involvement in wrongdoing and without a stain on one's reputation.
无罪wú zuì: Legally not guilty of a crime or other offense.

Definition in Chinese

因遭到错误的指责或不公平对待而蒙受损害或屈辱；用于表示受到不当对待或不公正的结论。yīn zāo dào cuò wù de zhǐ zé huò bù gōng píng duì dài ér méng shòu sǔn hài huò qū rǔ yòng yú biǎo shì shòu dào bú dàng duì dài huò bù gōng zhèng de jié lùn

Word origin

The traditional explanation of 冤 (yuān, "wronged") pictures a rabbit trapped beneath a cover, connecting physical confinement with the later idea of being trapped in an unjust charge or result.

Usage tips

  • The word often evaluates how someone has been treated rather than whether an event is merely unfortunate, a useful distinction in everyday complaints and explanations.

Other meanings

  • unjustadjective
  • false accusationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 冤枉yuān wǎngtreat unfairlyverb
  • 冤屈yuān qūinjusticenoun
  • 冤案yuān ànmiscarriage of justicenoun

Word lists with this word