bǐshì: 鄙视 - To Despise, To Look Down On, Contempt

• Keywords: bishi, 鄙视, bi shi, Chinese look down on, Chinese despise, contempt in Chinese, how to say look down on in Mandarin, 鄙视 meaning, bishi meaning, Chinese moral judgment, disrespect in Chinese
• Summary: Learn the powerful Chinese word 鄙视 (bǐshì), which means “to despise” or “to look down on.” This term goes beyond simple dislike, expressing a strong sense of moral contempt and social superiority towards someone's actions or character. This guide covers its meaning, cultural context, practical examples, and crucial nuances to help you understand one of the strongest forms of disapproval in the Mandarin language.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bǐshì
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To look down upon; to hold in contempt; to despise.
• In a Nutshell: `鄙视` is a strong, judgmental word used to express that you find someone or their behavior to be beneath you, not just in social status, but more importantly, in moral character. It's the feeling of looking at someone and thinking they are vulgar, dishonorable, or despicable. It carries a heavy weight of scorn and disapproval.

• 鄙 (bǐ): Originally, this character referred to a remote, rustic border town. Over time, it took on the meaning of “rustic,” “vulgar,” “lowly,” or “despicable.” Think of it as the core feeling of inferiority associated with the word.
• 视 (shì): This character simply means “to look at” or “to regard.” It's composed of the “see” radical (见) and a phonetic component.

When you combine them, 鄙视 (bǐshì) literally means “to look at as lowly/vulgar.” This paints a clear picture of the action: actively viewing someone with disdain and contempt.

• In Chinese culture, where social harmony and maintaining “face” (面子 - miànzi) are highly valued, openly expressing `鄙视` is a very serious act. It's a direct attack on a person's character (`人品 - rénpǐn`) and can cause them to lose face completely.
• Comparison to Western Concepts: While similar to the English “to despise” or “to look down your nose at someone,” `鄙视` is often more deeply rooted in moral judgment than pure social snobbery. A wealthy person might `鄙视` someone for being a liar or a cheat far more intensely than for simply being poor. In the West, “looking down on someone” might be more associated with class or wealth. In China, `鄙视` is frequently a verdict on someone's fundamental worth as a person, based on their adherence to ethical and social norms like honesty, loyalty, and integrity. It is a powerful tool of social policing.

• Expressing Moral Outrage: This is its most common use. People use `鄙视` to condemn behavior they find unacceptable, such as cheating in a relationship, betraying a friend, or acting with extreme selfishness.
• On Social Media: `鄙视` is frequently used online to express strong disapproval of public figures, companies, or social trends. A celebrity involved in a scandal will be met with countless comments of “鄙视你!” (I despise you!).
• In Joking and Teasing: Among close friends, `鄙视` can be used in a sarcastic or exaggerated way to tease someone. For example, if a friend chooses to stay home and study instead of going out, you might jokingly say, “我鄙视你,” meaning something like, “You're no fun, I'm 'despising' you for being so diligent.” The tone of voice and context are critical here.
• Formality and Connotation: `鄙视` is a strong, negative word. While it can be used in both formal writing and casual conversation, its intensity never really fades. It is not a word to be used lightly unless you are intentionally trying to be provocative or are joking with very close friends.

• Example 1:
  • 我最鄙视那些在背后说别人坏话的人。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì bǐshì nàxiē zài bèihòu shuō biérén huàihuà de rén.
  • English: I most despise those people who speak ill of others behind their backs.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses a strong moral judgment about a specific type of behavior (gossiping/backstabbing).
• Example 2:
  • 他的抄袭行为受到了所有同学的鄙视。
  • Pinyin: Tā de chāoxí xíngwéi shòudào le suǒyǒu tóngxué de bǐshì.
  • English: His act of plagiarism was met with contempt from all his classmates.
  • Analysis: Here, `鄙视` is used as a noun (“contempt”) to describe the collective disapproval of an unethical action.
• Example 3:
  • 你怎么能为了钱就放弃原则？我真鄙视你！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme néng wèile qián jiù fàngqì yuánzé? Wǒ zhēn bǐshì nǐ!
  • English: How could you abandon your principles for money? I really despise you!
  • Analysis: This is a direct, emotional, and accusatory use of the word, common in personal confrontations.
• Example 4:
  • 他从不鄙视任何人，不管他们多穷或地位多低。
  • Pinyin: Tā cóngbù bǐshì rènhé rén, bùguǎn tāmen duō qióng huò dìwèi duō dī.
  • English: He never looks down on anyone, no matter how poor or low their status is.
  • Analysis: This example uses `鄙视` in the negative to describe a positive character trait: being non-judgmental and respectful.
• Example 5:
  • 别用那种鄙视的眼神看着我。
  • Pinyin: Bié yòng nà zhǒng bǐshì de yǎnshén kànzhe wǒ.
  • English: Don't look at me with that contemptuous gaze.
  • Analysis: `鄙视` can be used as an adjective to describe a look (`眼神`), tone, or attitude.
• Example 6:
  • A: 我今天又不想去健身了。 B: 鄙视你！
  • Pinyin: A: Wǒ jīntiān yòu bùxiǎng qù jiànshēn le. B: Bǐshì nǐ!
  • English: A: I don't feel like going to the gym again today. B: I despise you! (scorn you/shame on you!)
  • Analysis: This is an example of the joking, informal usage between friends. It's not a serious expression of contempt but rather a playful jab to mock laziness.
• Example 7:
  • 在他看来，所有不努力工作的人都值得鄙视。
  • Pinyin: Zài tā kànlái, suǒyǒu bù nǔlì gōngzuò de rén dōu zhídé bǐshì.
  • English: In his view, all people who don't work hard are worthy of contempt.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes a person's harsh, judgmental worldview.
• Example 8:
  • 作为一个科学家，他鄙视任何形式的迷信。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī ge kēxuéjiā, tā bǐshì rènhé xíngshì de míxìn.
  • English: As a scientist, he despises any form of superstition.
  • Analysis: `鄙视` can also be directed at abstract concepts or beliefs that are seen as intellectually or morally inferior.
• Example 9:
  • 你难道不鄙视他这种虚伪的行为吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ nándào bù bǐshì tā zhè zhǒng xūwèi de xíngwéi ma?
  • English: Don't you despise his hypocritical behavior?
  • Analysis: A rhetorical question used to rally agreement and express shared outrage.
• Example 10:
  • 因为出身农村，他总是感觉被城里人鄙视。
  • Pinyin: Yīnwèi chūshēn nóngcūn, tā zǒngshì gǎnjué bèi chénglǐ rén bǐshì.
  • English: Because he came from the countryside, he always felt looked down upon by city dwellers.
  • Analysis: This shows the receiving end of `鄙视`, highlighting feelings of being judged and seen as inferior due to one's background.

• `鄙视 (bǐshì)` vs. `看不起 (kànbuqǐ)`: This is the most important distinction for learners.
  • `看不起 (kànbuqǐ)` also means “to look down on,” but it's more often related to ability, status, or wealth. It's very common in colloquial speech. (e.g., “He looks down on me because I don't make much money.”)
  • `鄙视 (bǐshì)` is stronger and more about moral contempt. You `看不起` someone for being unskilled, but you `鄙视` them for being a traitor. `鄙视` is a condemnation of character.
• False Friend: “Dislike” (`讨厌 tǎoyàn`)
  • A common mistake is to use `鄙视` for things you simply dislike. `鄙视` is reserved for people, their actions, character, or beliefs. You cannot `鄙视` bad weather or a food you don't like.
  • Incorrect: 我鄙视下雨天。 (Wǒ bǐshì xiàyǔtiān.)
  • Correct: 我讨厌下雨天。 (Wǒ tǎoyàn xiàyǔtiān.) - I hate/dislike rainy days.

• 看不起 (kànbuqǐ) - A common, slightly less formal synonym for “to look down on,” often tied to status or ability rather than pure moral contempt.
• 轻视 (qīngshì) - To belittle, to treat lightly, to not take seriously. It lacks the strong emotional contempt of `鄙视`.
• 蔑视 (mièshì) - A very strong, formal, and literary synonym meaning “to scorn” or “to show utter contempt.” Often used in political or philosophical texts.
• 瞧不起 (qiáobuqǐ) - A colloquial and very direct synonym for `看不起`.
• 尊重 (zūnzhòng) - (Antonym) To respect. The direct opposite of `鄙视`.
• 佩服 (pèifú) - (Antonym) To admire, often for someone's skill, achievement, or character.
• 讨厌 (tǎoyàn) - (Distinction) To dislike, to hate, to find annoying. This is based on personal feeling, not a moral judgment of superiority.
• 人品 (rénpǐn) - Moral character; the quality of a person's integrity and ethics. This is frequently the target of `鄙视`.