黩 (dú) - To act dishonorably & to defile, profane

黩Tone 2

dú ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

黩 · dú

To act dishonorably;

to defile, profane;

to be disrespectful or contemptuous;

to engage in excessive or improper behavior.

To act dishonorablyto defile, profaneto be disrespectful or contemptuous

Usage highlights

Defile one's officeEngage in excessive military actionProfane the sacredContemptuous of ritesDishonorable conductDisrespectful speech

Synonyms

  • 亵— To profane, treat with disrespect
  • 渎— To be disrespectful, to defile (often used similarly, e.g., 亵渎)
  • 污— To stain, defile, corrupt

Antonyms

  • 敬— To respect, revere
  • 尊— To honor, esteem
  • 洁— Pure, clean (morally or physically)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was accused of defiling his office (黩职).
  • The ruler engaged in excessive military campaigns (穷兵黩武).
  • Such actions profane the sacred traditions (黩神).
  • They warned against contemptuous treatment of the rites (黩礼).

Collocations

  • Defile one's office(黩职)
  • Engage in excessive military action(穷兵黩武)
  • Profane the sacred(黩神)
  • Contemptuous of rites(黩礼)
  • Dishonorable conduct(黩行)
  • Disrespectful speech(黩言)

Idioms

  • To engage in excessive military ventures and glorify war(穷兵黩武)
  • To be contemptuous and neglectful of proper conduct(黩礼不经)
  • To defile and corrupt through greed(贪黩无厌)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character carries a strong negative moral judgment, implying a violation of ethical or ritual norms.
  • Historically used in contexts criticizing rulers or officials for abusing power, neglecting duties, or showing disrespect.
  • Its usage often reflects Confucian values emphasizing propriety, restraint, and respect for authority and tradition.

FAQ