Chinese word

咄咄逼人

Pronunciation

Pinyinduō duō bī rén

Meaning

  • idiomintimidating

Example

面试官的态度有点咄咄逼人。miàn shì guān de tài dù yóu diǎn duō duō bī rén

The interviewer's attitude is a little intimidating.

Illustration for 咄咄逼人 (intimidating)

More examples

他说话有点咄咄逼人，大家都不太舒服。tā shuō huà yóu diǎn duō duō bī rén dà jiā dōu bú tài shū fú

His way of speaking is a little intimidating, and everyone feels uncomfortable.

Core concept

Words or behavior bear down so forcefully that the other person feels unable to resist or reply.

Common phrases

  • 态度咄咄逼人tài dù duō duō bī rén

    intimidating attitude

  • 说话咄咄逼人shuō huà duō duō bī rén

    intimidating way of speaking

  • 对人咄咄逼人duì rén duō duō bī rén

    intimidating toward others

Similar words

盛气凌人shèng qì líng rén: A high-handed manner or tone that intimidates others and makes them feel unable to speak freely.
气势汹汹qì shì xiōng xiōng: A fierce, aggressive air in someone's expression or manner that puts pressure on people nearby.

Definition in Chinese

形容说话或态度很强势，给人明显的压迫感，使人感到畏缩或难以反驳。xíng róng shuō huà huò tài dù hěn qiáng shì gěi rén míng xiǎn de yā pò gǎn shǐ rén gǎn dào wèi suō huò nán yǐ fǎn bó

Word origin

咄咄逼人 (duōduōbīrén, "pressing and intimidating") uses 咄 (duō, "a sharp utterance") repeated for force, while 逼 (bī, "press") + 人 (rén, "person") gives the sense of bearing down on someone.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear assertiveness as a positive quality, but this idiom normally judges a person's manner negatively, so it is not a neutral choice for simple confidence.

Other meanings

  • threateningidiom
  • overbearingidiom

Opposites

  • 平易近人píng yì jìn rénapproachableidiom
  • 和蔼可亲hé ái kě qīnkind and approachableidiom

Word lists with this word