脏话
In Chinese, the phrase for "a bad word" is 脏话.
脏话 refers to the actual bad words or swear words themselves. If you want to express the action of using bad words or swearing, you can use the phrase 说脏话, which combines the verb 说 (to say) with the noun. For the act of verbally abusing or cursing at someone, the common verb is 骂人.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 脏话 is composed of 脏 (dirty) and 话 (words/speech).
Did you know?
- While 脏话 describes 'dirty' words, some of the most offensive insults in Chinese do not use 'dirty' language at all but instead attack a person's ancestors or family lineage.
- The term 脏话 is distinct from 粗话, which refers to 'crude' or 'coarse' language often associated with uneducated speech rather than intentional malice.
- In certain regions of China, people might use the term 粗口 (coarse mouth) instead of 脏话 to describe the same thing.
Examples in context
- 他在说脏话。Tā zài shuō zānghuà.He is saying a bad word.
- 不要说脏话。Búyào shuō zānghuà.Don't say bad words.
- 我刚才说了脏话吗？Wǒ gāngcái shuōle zānghuà ma?Did I just say a bad word?
Example conversation
A teacher is scolding a student for using inappropriate language in the classroom.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你怎么能在课上说脏话？Nǐ zěnme néng zài kè shàng shuō zānghuà?How can you say a bad word in class?
- 志强 Zhiqiang对不起，老师，我错了。Duìbuqǐ, lǎoshī, wǒ cuòle.I am sorry, teacher, I was wrong.
- 佳怡 Jiayi以后绝对不可以再说脏话了。Yǐhòu juéduì bù kěyǐ zài shuō zānghuà le.You must never say a bad word again.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我明白了，我会注意的。Wǒ míngbai le, wǒ huì zhùyì de.I understand, I will be careful.
