খারাপ কথা
kharap kotha/kʰaɾap kɔt̪ʰa/word by word
The English phrase "bad words" is translated into Bengali as খারাপ কথা (kharap kotha).
The phrase খারাপ কথা is used in a general sense to refer to profanity, insults or inappropriate language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of খারাপ (kharap), meaning "bad" and কথা (kotha), meaning "word" or "speech".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bangladesh, the variation Chagol is used to mean "goat" and is used to call someone an idiot or a fool.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, কথা (kotha) acts as a collective noun for "words" or "speech", so the phrase does not require a plural marker to mean "bad words".
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kharap kotha and the IPA is /kʰaɾap kɔt̪ʰa/.
Did you know?
- The root of খারাপ originates from the Arabic word خَرَاب, which originally referred to a state of ruin or destruction.
- Using the phrase খারাপ কথা (kharap kotha) in a polite setting might be considered an understatement, as it is often used as a polite euphemism to avoid saying the actual profanities.
- In Bengali culture, the concept of কথা ('speech') is so broad that it can refer to a single word, a full conversation or a promise.
Examples in context
- ছোট বাচ্চাদের খারাপ কথা বলা উচিত নয়।Choto bachader kharap kotha bola uchit noy.Small children should not say bad words.
- সে সব সময় খারাপ কথা বলে।Se sob somoy kharap kotha bole.He always says bad words.
- তোমার মুখে খারাপ কথা মানায় না।Tomar mukhe kharap kotha manay na.Bad words do not suit your mouth.
Example conversation
Moumita and Sourav are discussing a person's behavior at home.
- মৌমিতা Moumitaতুমি শুনলে কী বললে?Tumi shunle ki bolle?What did you say when you heard it?
- সৌরভ Souravও খুব খারাপ কথা বলছে।O khub kharap kotha bolche.He is saying very bad words.
- মৌমিতা Moumitaতার মুখে খারাপ কথা ভালো লাগে না।Tar mukhe kharap kotha bhalo lage na.Bad words do not sound good coming from him.
- সৌরভ Souravহ্যাঁ, মৌমিতা, এটা সত্যিই খারাপ।He, Moumita, eta sotti kharap.Yes, Moumita, it is really bad.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (খারাপ, কথা) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries কথা, খারাপ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
