脏
zāng
The English word 'dirty' is translated into Chinese as 脏 (zāng).
脏 is used to describe things that are covered with or contain physical dirt. When describing a state of being dirty, it is common to place the intensifier 很 before the adjective, such as in the phrase 很脏, even if you do not strictly mean 'very' dirty in English.
Meaning: covered with or containing dirt (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 脏 refers to physical dirt, the related term 下流 is used to describe 'dirty' behavior or language in a moral or vulgar sense. To describe an action of making something dirty, use the verb form 弄脏.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of making something dirty or soiling it, use the verb 弄脏.
How do you pronounce it?
zāng
Did you know?
- The character 脏 is a polyphone that can also be pronounced zàng. When pronounced zàng, it refers to an internal organ, such as the 'heart' or 'liver'.
- The radical in the character 脏 (the 'shell' radical 贝) traditionally relates to wealth or money. This creates a linguistic irony where a word for 'dirty' contains a component linked to value.
- In certain social contexts, describing a person's heart as 脏 does not mean they are physically dirty but that they have a 'perverted' or 'lewd' mind.
Examples in context
- 那个茶壶很脏啊！That teapot's pretty dirty.This sentence uses 脏 to describe a teapot.Tatoeba #495949 by GlossaMatik, translation #495951 by CM
- 汤姆的房间很脏。Tom's room is dirty.This sentence uses 脏 to describe a room.Tatoeba #8696224 by crescat, translation #2548043 by CK
- 玩泥的人会弄脏自己的双手。People who play with mud will get their hands dirty.This sentence uses 脏 to describe hands being soiled.Tatoeba #1790080 by sadhen, translation #7776822 by sharris123
- 这个房间很肮脏This room is very dirty.
- 鞋子很脏The shoes are dirty.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wei and Jiayi are looking at a pile of laundry.
- 伟 Wei佳怡，这件白衬衫很脏。Jiāyí, zhè jiàn bái chènshān hěn zāng.Jiayi, this white shirt is very dirty.
- 佳怡 Jiayi是吗？我这就去洗。Shì ma? Wǒ zhè jiù qù xǐ.Really? I'll go wash it right now.
- 伟 Wei你洗衣服的时候要小心。Nǐ xǐ yīfu de shíhou yào xiǎoxīn.You should be careful when you wash clothes.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我知道了，伟。Wǒ zhīdào le, Wěi.I know, Wei.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
