逆耳之言 nì ěr zhī yán

speech that grates on the ear (idiom); bitter truths

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. speech that grates on the ear (idiom); bitter truths
  2. 2. home truths (that one does not want to hear)

Characters

Character Meaning
逆 nì HSK 6
to go against; to oppose; opposite
耳 ěr HSK 3
ear; handle (archaeology)
之 zhī HSK 4
(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的de); it
言 yán HSK 4
to say; to talk; speech