bēibǐ: 卑鄙 - Despicable, Contemptible, Vile

• Keywords: 卑鄙, beibi, despicable in Chinese, contemptible in Chinese, shameless Chinese word, vile Chinese character, what does beibi mean, how to use 卑鄙, Chinese for mean person, HSK 6 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of the powerful Chinese word 卑鄙 (bēibǐ), which translates to despicable, contemptible, or vile. This guide for beginners breaks down the characters 卑 and 鄙, explains the cultural context of why certain actions are considered 卑鄙, and provides practical example sentences to help you understand how to describe someone's shameless or morally corrupt behavior in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bēibǐ
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: Describing a person or action that is morally low, contemptible, and without integrity.
• In a Nutshell: 卑鄙 (bēibǐ) is a strong adjective used to condemn someone's actions or character. It's not just “mean” or “rude”; it implies a deliberate, morally corrupt, and often sneaky or underhanded nature. Think of someone who spreads malicious rumors, betrays a friend for personal gain, or uses blackmail. Their actions are considered 卑鄙 because they lack honor, fairness, and basic human decency.

• 卑 (bēi): This character's original meaning was “low” or “inferior,” both in social status and in physical position. In 卑鄙, it refers to a low moral standing.
• 鄙 (bǐ): This character originally meant “rustic” or “a remote town,” implying something was uncultured or crude. Over time, it took on the meaning of “vulgar” or “to despise.”
• Together, 卑鄙 (bēibǐ) combines the idea of being morally low (卑) with being crude and contemptible (鄙). The word paints a picture of someone whose behavior falls far beneath the standards of a decent, civilized person. It's a powerful condemnation of character and action.

The weight of the word 卑鄙 is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese social ethics, particularly Confucian values. Concepts like 义 (yì - righteousness), 信 (xìn - integrity/trustworthiness), and 耻 (chǐ - shame) are pillars of proper conduct. An action is considered 卑鄙 when it fundamentally violates these virtues. A useful comparison is to the Western concept of a “contemptible” or “despicable” act. While the meaning is very similar, the cultural emphasis can differ. In a Western context, a despicable act might be seen primarily as a violation of an individual's rights or a universal moral law. In a Chinese context, a 卑鄙 act is often perceived as a grave violation of relational harmony and social duty. For example, betraying your company for a competitor is bad everywhere. However, in China, it could be seen as an especially 卑鄙 act because it breaks the trust within a collective unit and shows a profound lack of loyalty and righteousness. It's an act that causes everyone involved to lose 面子 (miànzi - face) and disrupts the group's harmony. Therefore, 卑鄙 carries a heavy social and relational weight, not just an individual moral one.

卑鄙 is a very strong, negative term. It's used to express serious moral condemnation and is never used lightly or jokingly.

• In Personal Disputes: It's frequently used to accuse someone of betrayal, spreading vicious rumors, or taking advantage of someone in a vulnerable position. You might hear it in a heated argument between former friends or partners.
• In Business and Politics: The term describes corrupt officials who take bribes, or companies that use illegal or unethical tactics to crush competitors. It implies a “win at all costs” mentality that abandons all principles.
• On Social Media: Netizens often use 卑鄙 to criticize public figures, celebrities, or other users for scandalous or morally bankrupt behavior. It's a common word in online call-outs and dramas.
• As a Noun Modifier: It can be used to modify nouns like “person” (人), “method” (手段), or “behavior” (行为). For example, 卑鄙的人 (bēibǐ de rén) means “a despicable person.”

• Example 1:
  • 他为了升职而出卖朋友，真是太卑鄙了。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèile shēngzhí ér chūmài péngyǒu, zhēnshi tài bēibǐ le.
  • English: He sold out his friend just to get a promotion; that's truly despicable.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of 卑鄙 behavior—violating the sacred trust of friendship for personal gain.
• Example 2:
  • 在背后说人坏话是一种很卑鄙的行为。
  • Pinyin: Zài bèihòu shuō rén huàihuà shì yī zhǒng hěn bēibǐ de xíngwéi.
  • English: Talking badly about people behind their backs is a very contemptible behavior.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the cowardly and underhanded nature associated with 卑鄙. The act is condemned because it's not done openly and honestly.
• Example 3:
  • 我从没见过像你这么卑鄙无耻的人！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ cóngméi jiànguò xiàng nǐ zhème bēibǐ wúchǐ de rén!
  • English: I have never seen such a despicable and shameless person as you!
  • Analysis: 卑鄙无耻 (bēibǐ wúchǐ) is a very common and powerful four-character phrase (chengyu) that intensifies the insult, adding “shameless” to “despicable.”
• Example 4:
  • 他们用卑鄙的手段赢得了那份合同。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen yòng bēibǐ de shǒuduàn yíngdéle nà fèn hétóng.
  • English: They used despicable methods to win that contract.
  • Analysis: Here, 卑鄙 modifies 手段 (shǒuduàn - methods/means), focusing the condemnation on the unfair or unethical process used to achieve a goal.
• Example 5:
  • 欺负弱小是最卑鄙的事情之一。
  • Pinyin: Qīfù ruòxiǎo shì zuì bēibǐ de shìqíng zhīyī.
  • English: Bullying the weak and small is one of the most contemptible things.
  • Analysis: This connects 卑鄙 to the idea of a dishonorable use of power. A noble person protects the weak; a 卑鄙 person exploits them.
• Example 6:
  • 他就是个为了钱什么都做得出来的卑鄙小人。
  • Pinyin: Tā jiùshì ge wèile qián shénme dōu zuò de chūlái de bēibǐ xiǎorén.
  • English: He's just a despicable villain who would do anything for money.
  • Analysis: This example links 卑鄙 with the concept of a 小人 (xiǎorén), a petty or base person, the opposite of a 君子 (jūnzǐ - gentleman).
• Example 7:
  • 用别人的秘密来威胁他，这种手段非常卑鄙。
  • Pinyin: Yòng biérén de mìmì lái wēixié tā, zhè zhǒng shǒuduàn fēicháng bēibǐ.
  • English: Using someone else's secret to threaten them is an extremely vile tactic.
  • Analysis: Blackmail is a perfect illustration of 卑鄙 as it involves manipulation, dishonesty, and preying on vulnerability.
• Example 8:
  • 他自己犯了错，却把责任推给别人，太卑鄙了。
  • Pinyin: Tā zìjǐ fànle cuò, què bǎ zérèn tuī gěi biérén, tài bēibǐ le.
  • English: He made a mistake himself but shifted the blame to someone else, that's so despicable.
  • Analysis: This highlights the lack of accountability and integrity, which is a core component of being 卑鄙.
• Example 9:
  • 考试作弊不仅是错误的，也是卑鄙的。
  • Pinyin: Kǎoshì zuòbì bùjǐn shì cuòwù de, yěshì bēibǐ de.
  • English: Cheating on an exam is not only wrong, it is also contemptible.
  • Analysis: This shows that 卑鄙 can describe acts that violate a system of fairness, not just interpersonal relationships. It implies gaining an unfair advantage through deceit.
• Example 10:
  • 在网上匿名攻击别人是一种卑鄙的懦夫行为。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǎngshàng nìmíng gōngjí biérén shì yī zhǒng bēibǐ de nuòfū xíngwéi.
  • English: Anonymously attacking people online is a kind of despicable, cowardly behavior.
  • Analysis: This modern example shows how the concept is applied to online interactions. The cowardice (懦夫 nuòfū) of hiding behind anonymity is seen as 卑鄙.

A common pitfall for English speakers is to use 卑鄙 for situations that are merely annoying, rude, or generally “bad.” It's crucial to remember that 卑鄙 is a heavy moral judgment.

• 卑鄙 (bēibǐ) vs. 坏 (huài) vs. 讨厌 (tǎoyàn):
  • 讨厌 (tǎoyàn) - Annoying: This is the weakest. A noisy child or a person who talks during a movie is 讨厌, not 卑鄙.
  • 坏 (huài) - Bad: This is a general-purpose word. A villain in a movie is a 坏人 (huàirén - bad person). While a 卑鄙 person is always 坏, not every 坏 person is 卑鄙. A bank robber is 坏, but the one who masterminds the plan and betrays his partners to keep all the money is 卑鄙.
  • 卑鄙 (bēibǐ) - Despicable: This is the strongest and most specific. It refers to the *method* and *moral character*. It's about a lack of honor, integrity, and fairness.
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • Incorrect: 他开车开得很快，真卑鄙！(Tā kāichē kāi de hěn kuài, zhēn bēibǐ!) - “He drives so fast, so despicable!”
  • Why it's wrong: Driving fast is dangerous or reckless (危险 wēixiǎn), not morally corrupt. You might say he's a bad driver (开得很差勁 kāi de hěn chàjìng), but not 卑鄙.
  • Corrected: 他为了超车，故意别别人的车，真卑鄙！(Tā wèile chāochē, gùyì bié biérén de chē, zhēn bēibǐ!) - “In order to pass, he intentionally cut off another car, so despicable!” Here, the deliberate, malicious act against another person makes the term appropriate.

• `无耻 (wúchǐ)` - Shameless, brazen. Describes the lack of shame a 卑鄙 person feels. Often used together in the phrase 卑鄙无耻 (bēibǐ wúchǐ).
• `下流 (xiàliú)` - Lewd, obscene, dirty. While both are negative, 下流 usually refers to vulgar or sexual behavior, whereas 卑鄙 is about general moral corruption.
• `小人 (xiǎorén)` - A “small person”; a villain or someone of low character who engages in petty, selfish, or treacherous acts. A person who is 卑鄙 is a textbook 小人.
• `君子 (jūnzǐ)` - The opposite of a 小人. An honorable, noble person of high moral character. A 君子 would never perform a 卑鄙 act.
• `阴险 (yīnxiǎn)` - Insidious, sinister, treacherous. This adjective describes the sneaky, plotting nature often behind a 卑鄙 act.
• `不择手段 (bùzéshǒuduàn)` - An idiom meaning “to stop at nothing” or “by any means necessary.” This phrase perfectly describes the philosophy of a 卑鄙 person.
• `龌龊 (wòchuò)` - Filthy, sordid (literally or figuratively). A synonym for 卑鄙 that emphasizes the “dirty” or “squalid” nature of an action.
• `品德 (pǐndé)` - Moral character. You would say a 卑鄙 person has 品德败坏 (pǐndé bàihuài), or “corrupt moral character.”