Table of Contents

màofàn: 冒犯 - To Offend, To Affront

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

When combined, 冒犯 (màofàn) literally means to “recklessly violate” or “to brave a transgression.” This perfectly captures the modern meaning of carelessly or boldly crossing a social boundary and causing offense.

Cultural Context and Significance

The concept of 冒犯 (màofàn) is deeply intertwined with the cultural pillars of 和谐 (héxié) - harmony and 面子 (miànzi) - face. In many Western cultures, “offense” is often a subjective feeling (“I am offended by your joke”). While this can be true in Chinese culture as well, 冒犯 (màofàn) is more often about an objective violation of social norms that disrupts the harmony of a group. It's less about hurting individual feelings and more about upsetting the social order. Comparison to Western “Offense”:

To avoid 冒犯, Chinese communication often favors indirectness, politeness, and a keen awareness of the social hierarchy. The goal is to maintain group harmony, and 冒犯 is one of the greatest threats to that harmony.

Practical Usage in Modern China

冒犯 (màofàn) is a relatively formal and serious word. You wouldn't use it for minor slights.

The word carries a heavy weight, implying a significant breach of etiquette that could damage a relationship.

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes

In English, it's common to say “I find that painting offensive” or “That loud noise offends me.” You cannot use 冒犯 (màofàn) this way. 冒犯 requires a human target who is being disrespected or whose status is being challenged.