despise

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 蔑 is read べつ, has 14 strokes, and relates to contempt or despising.
• Basic usage: 軽蔑 is read けいべつ, and 蔑む is read さげすむ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 軽蔑 and 蔑む
  • 軽蔑 means contempt or scorn.
  • 弱い者を笑う態度に強い軽蔑を感じた。 means “I felt strong contempt for the attitude of laughing at the weak.”
  • 蔑む means despise or look down on.
  • 職業だけで人を蔑む態度は改めるべきです。 means “People should stop looking down on others solely because of their occupation.”