邪惡 (xié è) is an adjective meaning 'evil' or 'sinister', describing morally corrupt, malevolent, or threatening people, actions, or forces. The first character 邪 (xié) conveys 'deviant', 'unorthodox', or 'perverse', often implying departure from moral or natural order; the second character 恶 (è) means 'evil', 'wicked', or 'hateful', intensifying the negative moral weight. Together, they form a compound that emphasizes profound moral corruption — stronger and more dramatic than standalone 恶, often used in literary, dramatic, or formal contexts.

This word frequently appears in stories, films, news reports, or discussions about crime, corruption, or supernatural threats. It carries strong emotional and ethical judgment, rarely used lightly or humorously. While it can describe people (e.g., a villain), it’s also applied to abstract concepts like 'evil intent' or 'sinister influence'. It’s not used for everyday annoyances (e.g., a broken printer isn’t 邪恶) — reserve it for serious moral transgressions or ominous qualities.