嫌恶 (xián wù) is a formal, literary noun meaning 'aversion' or 'loathing'—a strong, often visceral feeling of dislike or disgust toward someone or something. The first character 嫌 means 'to suspect' or 'to find fault with', and the second 恶 means 'evil' or 'hateful'; together, they intensify the sense of deep-seated repulsion, not just mild dislike but moral or physical revulsion.

This word appears frequently in written Chinese—essays, news reports, psychological descriptions—and less commonly in casual speech, where simpler terms like 讨厌 (tǎo yàn) are preferred. It often describes reactions to unethical behavior, unsanitary conditions, or morally objectionable actions. Because it carries a weighty, somewhat solemn tone, it’s rarely used for trivial preferences (e.g., disliking a food), and more often reserved for serious social, ethical, or biological triggers of disgust.