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助紂為虐

简助纣为虐 · 繁助紂為虐

Mandarin · pinyin zhù Zhòu wéi nüè

lit. helping tyrant Zhou 商紂王 Shāng Zhòu wáng in his oppression (idiom)
fig. to take the side of the evildoer
giving succor to the enemy

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Characters in this entry

助: zhù · help, aid, assist
紂: Look up this written character
為: Look up this written character
虐: nüè · cruel, harsh, oppressive
纣: zhòu · name of an emperor; saddle part
为: wèi · do, handle, govern, act; be

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

4–4–2–4 · zhu4 Zhou4 wei2 nu:e4

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) to help the wicked perpetrate wicked deeds; to help a tyrant to do evil

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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