该死
gāisǐ
The English phrase "dang it" translates to Chinese as 该死 (gāisǐ).
该死 is used as an interjection to express frustration, annoyance or anger at a situation or a mistake.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 该 (should) and 死 (die), literally meaning "should die".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While it translates to "dang it", it is slightly more aggressive than English "dang" and is closer to "damn it" in tone.
How do you pronounce it?
gāisǐ
When do people say it?
The phrase 烦死了 (fán sǐle) translates to "so annoying" and is an informal expression used to vent frustration.
Did you know?
- Chinese has several 'death' phrases where the intent is the opposite of the literal meaning, such as using 死 to describe something 'deadly' cute or 'deathly' delicious.
- If you use 该死 toward a person directly, it shifts from a mild 'dang it' to a very aggressive and insulting 'damn you'.
- The character 该 in 该死 is a shortened form of 应该. In classical Chinese, this character was more commonly used to indicate an obligation or a duty.
Examples in context
- 该死，我把钥匙丢了。Gāisǐ, wǒ bǎ yàoshi diū le.Dang it, I lost my keys.
- 该死，现在全乱了。Gāisǐ, xiànzài quán luàn le.Dang it, everything is a mess now.
- 该死，我迟到了。Gāisǐ, wǒ chídào le.Dang it, I am late.
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Haoran are looking for a lost document at the office.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen该死，我找不到那份文件了。Gāisǐ, wǒ zhǎo bù dào nà fèn wénjiàn le.Dang it, I can't find that document.
- 浩然 Haoran别着急，我们再找找看。Bié zháojí, wǒmen zài zhǎo zhǎo kàn.Don't worry, let's look for it again.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，我也许把它带回家了。Hàorán, wǒ yěxǔ bǎ tā dài huí jiā le.Haoran, maybe I brought it home.
- 浩然 Haoran那真是糟糕。Nà zhēnshi zāogāo.That is really bad.
