(niè) - A variant form of 孽 (niè), meaning evil, & a disobedient or unfilial child

Tone 4

niè | 22 strokes | radical:

· niè

A variant form of 孽 (niè), meaning evil, sin, misfortune;

a disobedient or unfilial child;

disaster or calamity.

A variant form of 孽 (niè), meaning evil,a disobedient or unfilial childdisaster or calamity.

Usage highlights

evil deedsunfilial childheavenly punishmentcreate disastersinful karmacalamity and misfortune

Synonyms

  • evil, sin, misfortune (standard form)
  • evil, wickedness
  • crime, sin

Antonyms

  • blessing, good fortune
  • goodness, virtue
  • filial piety

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He suffered from his own misdeeds (自作巕).
  • The family considered him the black sheep (家中的巕子).
  • Natural disasters were seen as heavenly punishment (天降巕殃).

Collocations

  • evil deeds(巕行)
  • unfilial child(巕子)
  • heavenly punishment(天巕)
  • create disaster(造巕)
  • sinful karma(巕障)
  • calamity and misfortune(巕殃)

Idioms

  • Evil has its own reward(巕有巕报)
  • Creating disasters and making troubles(兴巕作浪)
  • The root of all evil(万恶之巕)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Traditionally used in Buddhist and Daoist contexts to refer to karmic obstacles or sins from past lives.
  • Often appears in classical literature describing unfilial children or those who bring disgrace to their family.
  • Considered an inauspicious character rarely used in modern contexts except in religious or literary works.

FAQ