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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'scolding' with 骂 (mà)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    Subject + 骂 + Object

    Explanation

    骂 (mà) means 'to scold' or 'to curse' and is used when someone verbally reprimands or criticizes another person harshly. It can be used on its own or combined with other verbs like 责骂 (to rebuke). The object of 骂 is the person being scolded.

    Examples

    • 妈妈骂了他一顿，因为他考试没及格。

      māma mà le tā yī dùn, yīnwèi tā kǎoshì méi jígé.

      Mom scolded him because he failed the exam.

    • 别骂孩子了，他已经知道错了。

      bié mà háizi le, tā yǐjīng zhīdào cuò le.

      Stop scolding the child; he already knows he was wrong.

    • 老板当着大家的面骂了他几句。

      lǎobǎn dāngzhe dàjiā de miàn mà le tā jǐ jù.

      The boss scolded him in front of everyone.

    Expressing 'scolding' with 骂 (mà) | Chinese Grammar