| 逆 |
nì ěr zhī yán | speech that grates on the ear (idiom); bitter truths / home truths (that one does not want to hear) |
| 逆 |
nì | contrary / opposite / backwards / to go against / to oppose / to betray / to rebel |
| 逆 |
nì ěr | unpleasant to hear / grates on the ear (of home truths) |
| 耳 |
ěr | ear / handle (archaeology) / and that is all (Classical Chinese) |
| 之 |
zhī | (possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的) / him / her / it |
| 言 |
yán | words / speech / to say / to talk |