土匪
tu fei
The English word "bandit" is translated into Chinese as 土匪 (tu fei).
The term refers to an outlaw. The word 强盗 consists of 强 meaning strong and 盗 meaning thief.
Meaning: an outlaw (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 土匪 is composed of 土 (tǔ), meaning 'earth' or 'local' and 匪 (fěi), meaning 'bandit' or 'outlaw'.
Which one should you use?
The word 土匪 consists of 土 meaning local or rural and 匪 meaning bandit. The word 匪徒 consists of 匪 meaning bandit and 徒 meaning person.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the term bandit can be referred to as 土匪 in Mandarin Chinese.
How do you pronounce it?
tu fei
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese slang, calling someone a 土匪 can describe a person who is extremely bossy or behaves in a domineering, lawless manner, even if they have never committed a crime.
- In some historical contexts, the term 土匪 was used as a derogatory label for certain ethnic minority groups by the central government to delegitimize their local autonomy.
- In traditional Chinese opera, bandit characters are often identified by specific costume elements like tiger-skin loincloths to signal their 'wild' nature.
Examples in context
- 那群土匪非常凶狠。Nà qún tǔfěi fēicháng xiōnghěn.That group of bandits is very fierce.
- 他在电影里扮演一个土匪。Tā zài diànyǐng lǐ bànyǎn yīgè tǔfěi.He plays a bandit in the movie.
- 传说有一伙土匪藏在山上。Chuánshuō yǒu yī huǒ tǔfěi cáng zài shānshàng.Legend says a gang of bandits is hiding in the mountains.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a historical drama they just watched.
- 雨婷 Yuting那个土匪的角色很有趣。Nàgè tǔfěi de juésè hěn yǒuqù.That bandit character is very interesting.
- 伟 Wei是的，他看起来很勇敢。Shì de, tā kàn qǐlái hěn yǒnggǎn.Yes, he looks very brave.
- 雨婷 Yuting虽然他是土匪，但很有正义感。Suīrán tā shì tǔfěi, dàn hěn yǒu zhèngyì gǎn.Even though he is a bandit, he has a strong sense of justice.
- 伟 Wei雨婷，你对历史剧很感兴趣啊。Yǔtíng, nǐ duì lìshǐ jù hěn gǎn xìngqù a.Yuting, you are very interested in historical dramas.
