刻薄

kèbó

adjective #4,849

Meanings

1 unkind
2 harsh
3 mean-spirited
4 cutting

Characters

to carve; harsh

thin; meager; unkind

Examples

他说话很刻薄。

Tā shuōhuà hěn kèbó.

He speaks very harshly.

别对她那么刻薄。

Bié duì tā nàme kèbó.

Don't be so mean to her.

Tips

memory

刻 (carve, engrave) + 薄 (thin, flimsy) = cutting words that wear people thin — harsh and unkind.

Stroke Order

刻 kè

薄 báo