咒骂 (zhòu mà) is a compound verb meaning 'to curse' or 'to swear at' someone, often with strong anger, contempt, or malice. The first character 咒 (zhòu) originally refers to a magical incantation or spell—implying harmful intent—and the second, 骂 (mà), means 'to scold' or 'to berate'. Together, they convey harsh, vitriolic verbal abuse that goes beyond ordinary criticism: it’s emotionally charged, offensive, and sometimes superstitiously tinged (e.g., invoking misfortune). It’s commonly used in narratives describing heated arguments, public outbursts, or expressions of deep resentment.

This word carries a formal-to-literary register and appears frequently in written Chinese—especially in novels, news reports about conflicts, or psychological descriptions—but is less common in polite daily speech. It implies sustained or intense verbal aggression, not just a single expletive. While both characters can stand alone (e.g., 骂 is more colloquial), 咒骂 as a compound emphasizes severity and emotional violence, often suggesting moral judgment or dehumanization of the target.