狞 (níng) - ferocious, hideous, fierce & describes a savage, menacing appearance or expression
狞 · níng
ferocious, hideous, fierce;
describes a savage, menacing appearance or expression
ferocious, hideous, fiercedescribes a savage, menacing appearance or expression
Usage highlights
ferocious expressionhideous facesavage appearancesinister laughferocious beasthideous demon
Usage & contexts
Examples
- The tiger bared its teeth in a ferocious expression (狞笑).
- His face twisted into a hideous grimace (面目狰狞).
- The villain let out a sinister laugh (狞笑一声).
Collocations
- ferocious expression(狞笑)
- hideous face(狰狞面目)
- savage appearance(狰狞可怖)
- sinister laugh(狞笑声)
- ferocious beast(狞猛)
- hideous demon(狞鬼)
Idioms
- With a hideous and ferocious face(面目狰狞)
- A ferocious laugh that chills the heart(狞笑慑心)
- Savage and terrifying appearance(狰狞可畏)
Cultural background
FAQ- Often used to describe demons, villains, or wild beasts in classical literature and folklore.
- Carries strong negative connotations, associated with evil, danger, and ugliness in Chinese cultural context.
- Commonly appears in descriptions of mythological creatures and underworld figures in Buddhist and Taoist texts.