Chinese Conversation · Level 82
61 words
Chinese word
挑衅
Pronunciation
Pinyintiǎo xìn
Meaning
- verbprovoke
Example
不要挑衅他，他会生气的。bú yào tiǎo xìn tā tā huì shēng qì de
Don't provoke him; he'll get angry.
More examples
那番话被认为是在公开挑衅对方，导致外交抗议。nà fān huà bèi rèn wéi shì zài gōng kāi tiǎo xìn duì fāng dǎo zhì wài jiāo kàng yì
Those remarks were seen as openly provoking the other side, leading to a diplomatic protest.
Core concept
A challenge aimed like a spark at another person, intended to turn tension into anger, opposition, or retaliation.
Common phrases
故意挑衅对方gù yì tiǎo xìn duì fāng
deliberately provoke the other party
挑衅他人tiǎo xìn tā rén
provoke others
以言语挑衅对方yǐ yán yǔ tiǎo xìn duì fāng
verbally provoke the other party
Similar words
惹rě: Make someone angry or upset, often through an annoying act or remark.
冒犯mào fàn: Hurt someone's feelings or dignity and make that person feel offended.
挑逗tiǎo dòu: Tease or entice someone to draw out a reaction.
挑拨tiǎo bō: Stir up conflict or bad feelings between people.
Definition in Chinese
针对某人故意做出刺激性的言行，从而引起愤怒、反抗或报复的动词。zhēn duì mǒu rén gù yì zuò chū cì jī xìng de yán xíng cóng ér yín qǐ fèn nù fǎn kàng huò bào fù de dòng cí
Word origin
挑衅 (tiǎoxìn, "to provoke") joins 挑 (tiǎo, "to challenge") and 衅 (xìn, "a cause of conflict"), so a challenge becomes a deliberate invitation to conflict.
Usage tips
- The word normally signals deliberate antagonism, so it is too strong for an accidental annoyance or a playful attempt to get attention.