狰狞

猙獰

zhēngníng

adjective #28,919

Meanings

1 malevolent
2 fierce-looking
3 sinister
4 ferocious in appearance

Characters

fierce / used in 狰狞

ferocious / sinister

Examples

HSK 7-9

那只怪兽面目狰狞，令人恐惧。

Nà zhī guàishòu miànmù zhēngníng, lìngrén kǒngjù.

The monster looked ferocious and terrifying.

HSK 7-9

他狰狞地笑着，让人不寒而栗。

Tā zhēngníng de xiào zhe, ràng rén bùhán'érlì.

He grinned with a sinister expression, sending chills down everyone's spine.

Tips

memory

Both characters 狰 and 狞 contain the 犭 radical (dog), evoking a snarling, beast-like ferocity.

Stroke Order

狰 zhēng

狞 níng