恶贯满盈
恶贯满盈 (è guàn mǎn yíng) literally means “evil accumulated fully filled” and expresses “accumulated evil deeds ripe for punishment”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: e guan man ying, e guan man ying,恶贯满盈 meaning, 恶贯满盈 in english
Accumulated evil deeds ripe for punishment
Pronunciation: è guàn mǎn yíng Literal meaning: Evil accumulated fully filled
Origin & Usage
Han Dynasty metaphysical discussions introduced this image of wickedness (恶) accumulating until fully (满) overflowing (盈). Buddhist influence strengthened its connection to inevitable karmic consequences. The metaphor of evil as a liquid gradually filling a vessel until it overflows perfectly captured how accumulated transgressions eventually trigger cosmic retribution.
When to Use
Situation: After decades of corruption, the official was finally brought to justice
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 恶贯满盈 mean in English?
恶贯满盈 (è guàn mǎn yíng) literally translates to “Evil accumulated fully filled” and is used to express “Accumulated evil deeds ripe for punishment”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 恶贯满盈 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving accumulated evil deeds ripe for punishment.
What is the pinyin for 恶贯满盈?
The pinyin pronunciation for 恶贯满盈 is “è guàn mǎn yíng”.