恃强凌弱

恃強凌弱

shìqiánglíngruò

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

他总是恃强凌弱，欺负同学。

Tā zǒng shì shìqiánglíngruò, qīfu tóngxué.

He always uses his strength to bully his classmates.

恃强凌弱的行为应该受到谴责。

Shìqiánglíngruò 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