satire
Definitions
The use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to expose and criticize people's faults, especially in politics or society.
讽刺（手法）；以幽默、反讽揭露和批评（尤指政治、社会的）缺点。
A work of writing or art that uses this technique.
讽刺作品。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin satura (lanx), a 'full plate' of mixed offerings, which named a medley of verse on many subjects. Roman writers used that grab-bag form to mock society, and the meaning narrowed to the mocking itself. So satire connects to the sat- family through 'a full, mixed dish,' not through ridicule.
Root sat still carries 42 more wordsWhy It Means This
Satire is the family's oddest member: its tie to 'enough/full' runs through satura, a 'full platter' of mixed verse, not through any sense of mockery. Worth flagging the trap — satire / satirical look like sarcasm / sarcastic and overlap in meaning, but sarcasm comes from Greek sarkazein, 'to tear flesh,' a completely different root.
Common Collocations
- 1.political satire政治讽刺
- 2.social satire社会讽刺
- 3.sharp satire犀利的讽刺
- 4.biting satire辛辣的讽刺
Example Sentences
- 1.
The show is a sharp satire on modern office life.
- 2.
His novel uses satire to attack political corruption.
- 3.
It was clearly satire, but some readers took it literally.
Easily Confused
satire vs sarcasm — Satire is a crafted form: a whole essay, show, or novel that mocks society through irony. Sarcasm is a tone: a single biting remark, usually spoken, aimed at a person. A magazine runs satire; a colleague makes a sarcastic comment. They even come from different roots (satire ← satura 'full dish'; sarcasm ← Greek 'tear flesh').