嫉恶如仇

嫉惡如仇
jí'è-rúchóu
idiom #70,154

Meanings

  1. 1 to hate evil as one hates an enemy
  2. 2 fiercely opposed to wrongdoing

Examples

HSK 7-9
Tā wéirén zhèngzhí, jí'è-rúchóu.
He is upright and hates evil as he hates an enemy.
HSK 7-9
Zhèwèi fǎguān jí'è-rúchóu, shēnshòu bǎixìng àidài.
This judge hates wrongdoing fiercely and is deeply loved by the people.
HSK 7-9
Jí'è-rúchóu de xìnggé ràng tā dézuì le bùshǎo rén.
His fierce hatred of wrongdoing made him enemies.

Tips

history
Attested in Liang Shaoren's Qing-dynasty 《两般秋雨庵随笔》. Describes the temperament of moral hardliners - not just disapproval but active, enemy-level contempt.
register
Strongly positive in traditional usage, applied to upright officials and heroes. In modern use it can also hint at rigidity or an abrasive moral streak.

Stroke Order

è
chóu