nì lín

Traditional: 逆鱗

逆鳞 (nì lín) is a Chinese word meaning “(Chinese legend) a patch of scales on a dragon's neck that grow in the opposite direction, which when touched enrages the dragon; (fig.) sensitive subject or trigger issue that provokes a strong emotional reaction when sb's views on it are challenged”.

Meanings

  1. 1(Chinese legend) a patch of scales on a dragon's neck that grow in the opposite direction, which when touched enrages the dragon
  2. 2(fig.) sensitive subject or trigger issue that provokes a strong emotional reaction when sb's views on it are challenged

Characters in 逆鳞

逆nì · contrary鳞lín · scales (of fish, snakes etc)

Related words

叛逆to rebel逆转to turn back逆contrary逆境adversity逆向backwards逆流against the stream逆行to go the wrong way鳞scales (of fish, snakes etc)逆来顺受to resign oneself to adversity (idiom); to grin and bear it遍体鳞伤(idiom) covered all over with cuts and bruises; beaten black and blue鱼鳞fish scales可逆reversible

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