adjective / noun HSK 5
injustice · wronged · unjust · to wrong someone
Meaning
冤 refers to being wrongly accused, treated unjustly, or suffering an injustice. It carries a strong emotional weight, expressing the feeling of being blamed or punished for something you didn't do, or experiencing unfair treatment that creates grievance.
Usage
Commonly used in formal contexts, literature, and legal discussions. Often appears in set phrases like 冤枉 (wronged) or 冤案 (miscarriage of justice). Native speakers use it when describing serious injustices rather than minor unfairness.
Examples
- 01他被冤枉了，根本没做过那件事。, .He was wrongly accused; he never did that thing at all.
- 02这是一起冤案，必须重新调查。, .This is a miscarriage of justice; it must be reinvestigated.
Common collocations
- 冤枉to wrong someone, treat unjustly
- 冤案wrongful conviction, miscarriage of justice
- 冤仇enmity, bitter hatred
- 鸣冤to appeal against injustice, cry out for justice
Antonyms
Origin
The character 冤 originally depicted a rabbit (兔) trapped in an enclosure (冖), symbolizing someone confined or constrained unjustly, unable to escape their wrongful situation.