狗屎
gǒushǐ
The English phrase "dog poop" is translated into Chinese as 狗屎 (gǒushǐ).
狗屎 literally refers to the waste matter discharged from a dog. Beyond this literal sense, it is used metaphorically to describe something that is of very poor quality or something that is complete nonsense.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 狗 (gǒu), meaning dog and 屎 (shǐ), meaning excrement or poop.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term 狗屎 is informal and blunt, functioning similarly to the English terms "dog poop" or "dog shit".
How do you pronounce it?
gǒushǐ
Did you know?
- While 狗屎 is usually negative, the phrase 狗屎运 describes a sudden stroke of extreme good luck. It literally means 'dog poop luck', suggesting a kind of blind or undeserved fortune.
- In Chinese culture, dogs were historically viewed as scavengers, making 狗 a common prefix for insults. This is why 狗屎 works so effectively as a derogatory term for something worthless.
- Because 狗屎 is so blunt, people in formal settings often use the euphemism 狗便 to refer to dog waste without sounding vulgar.
Examples in context
- 小心，地上有狗屎。Xiǎoxīn, dìshàng yǒu gǒushǐ.Be careful, there is dog poop on the ground.
- 路边有很多狗屎。Lùbiān yǒu hěnduō gǒushǐ.There is a lot of dog poop by the roadside.
Example conversation
Walking in a park.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，快看！前面有狗屎。Zhìqiáng, kuài kàn! Qiánmiàn yǒu gǒushǐ.Zhiqiang, look! There is dog poop ahead.
- 志强 Zhiqiang天呐，我差点就踩到了。Tiān nà, wǒ chàdiǎn jiù cǎidào le.Oh my god, I almost stepped on it.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen现在我们得绕道走。Xiànzài wǒmen děi ràodào zǒu.Now we have to go around it.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好的，我们走这边吧。Hǎode, wǒmen zǒu zhèbiān ba.Okay, let's go this way.
