弊 (bì) - harm & disadvantage

弊Tone 4

bì ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

弊 · bì

harm;

disadvantage;

fraud;

abuse;

malpractice;

drawback;

negative aspect;

corruption

harmdisadvantagefraud

Usage highlights

malpracticefrauddisadvantageharmful effectsdrawbacksabolish malpractice

Synonyms

  • 害— harm, damage
  • 病— fault, defect
  • 短— shortcoming, weakness

Antonyms

  • 利— benefit, advantage
  • 益— benefit, profit
  • 优— excellence, superiority

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We need to eliminate these malpractices (弊端).
  • The advantages outweigh the disadvantages (利大于弊).
  • This policy has both advantages and disadvantages (有利有弊).
  • They engaged in fraudulent practices (舞弊).

Collocations

  • malpractice(弊端)
  • fraud(舞弊)
  • disadvantage(弊病)
  • harmful effects(弊害)
  • drawbacks(弊害)
  • abolish malpractice(除弊)

Idioms

  • Weighing the pros and cons(权衡利弊)
  • The disadvantages outweigh the advantages(弊大于利)
  • Every advantage has its disadvantage(有利必有弊)
  • Exposing malpractice and eliminating harm(兴利除弊)
  • Fraud in imperial examinations(科场舞弊)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with corruption in imperial examinations and government administration.
  • Often used in political discourse to criticize malpractices and advocate for reform.
  • Appears in classical texts discussing governance and the balance between benefits and harms.

FAQ