讽刺 fěngcì to satirize
to satirize; to mock; irony; satire; sarcasm
How to remember 讽刺: 讽 sarcastic + 刺 to stab = to satirize.
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How it is used
- To satirize/mock, or the resulting irony - 这篇小说讽刺了官僚主义 (zhè piān xiǎoshuō fěngcì le guānliáozhǔyì) the novel satirizes bureaucracy.
- Both verb and noun: 讽刺意味 (fěngcì yìwèi) an ironic tone; 真讽刺 (zhēn fěngcì) how ironic.
- Sharper and more critical than 挖苦 (wākǔ, personal jibing); 讽刺 can target society, not just people.