Chinese word

凶

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiōng

Meaning

  • adjectivefierce

Example

那只狗很凶，不要靠近。nà zhǐ gǒu hěn xiōng bú yào kào jìn

That dog is fierce, so don't go near it.

Illustration for 凶 (fierce)

More examples

虽然他看起来很凶，但其实很温顺。suī rán tā kàn qǐ lái hěn xiōng dàn qí shí hěn wēn shùn

Although he looks fierce, he is actually very docile.

Core concept

A dangerous force that makes people or animals fear approaching it.

Common phrases

  • 脾气很凶pí qì hěn xiōng

    have a ferocious temper

  • 长得很凶zhǎng de hěn xiōng

    look fierce

  • 很凶hěn xiōng

    very fierce

Similar words

凶狠xiōng hěn: Vicious and severe, showing a cold desire to hurt others.
凶猛xiōng měng: Ferocious in attack, using great speed and force to create danger.
残忍cán rěn: Cruel in causing harm, with no concern for another person's suffering.
凶恶xiōng è: Evil and threatening, acting with bad intentions to harm people or things.

Definition in Chinese

形容性格或行为具有暴力、危险，容易伤人或令人害怕。xíng róng xìng gé huò xíng wéi jù yǒu bào lì wēi xiǎn róng yì shāng rén huò lìng rén hài pà

Word origin

凶 (xiōng, "fierce") comes from the traditional form 兇 (xiōng, "fierce"), whose older association with harmful events developed into a description of violent or threatening conduct.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, this word can describe an animal's temperament, so it signals a real reason for caution rather than merely a large size or unattractive appearance.

Other meanings

  • ferociousadjective
  • viciousadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word