恃强凌弱

恃強凌弱

shìqiáng-língruò

idiom #29,279

Meanings

1 to use one's strength to bully the weak
2 to rely on power to oppress those who are weaker

Characters

to rely on; to depend on arrogantly

strong; powerful

to bully; to overpower; to rise above

Examples

HSK 6

他总是恃强凌弱，欺负同学。

Tā zǒngshì shìqiáng-língruò, qīfu tóngxué.

He always uses his strength to bully his classmates.

HSK 7-9

恃强凌弱的行为应该受到谴责。

Shìqiáng-língruò de xíngwéi yīnggāi shòudào qiǎnzé.

Behavior that preys on the weak should be condemned.

Tips

memory

恃 (to rely on; to depend on) + 强 (strong) + 凌 (to bully; to overpower) + 弱 (weak). Literally: 'rely on strength, bully the weak.' The key character is 恃 (shì) - to use something one possesses as a weapon.

Stroke Order

恃 shì

强 qiáng

凌 líng

弱 ruò