be unpleasant to hear; grate on the ear
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to grate on the ear; to be unpleasant to hear (of blunt but honest advice)
formalCommonly used in the idiom 忠言逆耳 (honest words offend the ear). Typically describes criticism or advice that is beneficial but difficult to accept. Often paired with 忠言 or used in the structure 逆耳之言.
Zhōng忠
yán言
nì逆
ěr耳
lì利
yú于
xíng行
。
Honest advice may be unpleasant to hear, but it is good for one's conduct.
Wǒ我
zhī知
dào道
zhè这
xiē些
huà话
tīng听
qǐ起
lái来
nì逆
ěr耳
，
dàn但
wǒ我
bì必
xū须
gào告
sù诉
nǐ你
zhēn真
xiàng相
。
I know these words are unpleasant to hear, but I must tell you the truth.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Tā他
xí习
guàn惯
le了
tīng听
fèng奉
cheng承
huà话
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
rèn任
hé何
pī批
píng评
dōu都
jué觉
de得
nì逆
ěr耳
。
He is used to hearing flattery, so any criticism sounds harsh to him.
Nì逆
ěr耳
zhī之
yán言
wǎng往
wǎng往
shì是
zuì最
yǒu有
jià价
zhí值
de的
zhōng忠
gào告
。
Words that grate on the ear are often the most valuable advice.