脏话
A cuss word in Chinese is 脏话.
The term 脏话 refers to a cuss word (phrase). For example, Shǎ Bī (傻逼) is equivalent to calling someone an idiot or moron and Nǐ mā de (你妈的) literally translates to "your mother's" and is used as an insult or curse word. To express the action of swearing, you use the verb 说 (shuō, to speak/say) followed by 脏话.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 脏话 is composed of 脏 (zāng), meaning 'dirty' and 话 (huà), meaning 'words' or 'speech'.
Did you know?
- In digital communication, Chinese users often use numbers as a form of 脏话 because the pronunciation of the number sounds like a vulgar phrase.
- Unlike English, where some swear words are based on religion, traditional Chinese 脏话 rarely references deities and instead focuses on familial relationships and social status.
- Some forms of 脏话 are used as 'filler words' among close friends in certain regions to signal intimacy and trust, making them the opposite of an insult.
Examples in context
- 他不应该在公共场合说脏话。Tā bù yìnggāi zài gōnggòng chǎnghé shuō zānghuà.He shouldn't say cuss words in public.
- 有些脏话在电影里很常见。Yǒuxiē zānghuà zài diànyǐng lǐ hěn chángjiàn.Some cuss words are common in movies.
- 请不要对我讲脏话。Qǐng bùyào duì wǒ jiǎng zānghuà.Please don't direct cuss words at me.
Example conversation
A man is teaching a girl about polite language.
- 梓涵 Zihan他在说什么？Tā zài shuō shénme?What is he saying?
- 伟 Wei他只是在说一些脏话。Tā zhǐshì zài shuō yìxiē zānghuà.He is just saying some cuss words.
- 梓涵 Zihan这也太没礼貌了。Zhè yě tài méi lǐmào le.That is so impolite.
- 伟 Wei梓涵，别理他。Zǐhán, bié lǐ tā.Zihan, just ignore him.
