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.
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.