自虐

zìnüè

verb #30,217

Meanings

1 to torment oneself
2 self-abuse
3 masochism

Characters

to mistreat / abuse

Examples

HSK 5

他不停地工作，简直是在自虐。

Tā bùtíng de gōngzuò, jiǎnzhí shì zài zìnüè.

He works non-stop - it's basically self-torture.

HSK 6

她有自虐倾向，需要心理治疗。

Tā yǒu zìnüè qīngxiàng, xūyào xīnlǐ zhìliáo.

She has masochistic tendencies and needs therapy.

Tips

usage

Used both literally (clinical self-harm / masochism) and figuratively/jokingly online - '为什么要自虐?' ('why are you torturing yourself?') is a common reply when someone takes on a punishing workload or watches a depressing movie on purpose.

Stroke Order

自 zì

虐 nüè