白虎星
báihǔxīng
In Chinese, the English phrase 'jinx' can be translated using 白虎星 (báihǔxīng). Wiktionary also lists 掃帚星 / 扫帚星 (sàozhǒuxīng) and 不祥之物 (bùxiángzhīwù).
Meaning: a person or thing supposed to bring bad luck (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 白虎星 | báihǔxīng |
| 掃帚星 / 扫帚星 | sàozhǒuxīng |
| 不祥之物 | bùxiángzhīwù |
The terms in this group refer to a person or entity believed to bring bad luck. 掃帚星 is commonly used to describe a person who seems to bring bad luck to those around them.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 掃帚星 (sàozhǒuxīng) literally means 'broom star'.
Which one should you use?
掃帚星 is a colloquial way to refer to a person who is a jinx, whereas 不祥之物 is more formal and descriptive. 不祥之物 is a formal, literary way to describe an object or entity that brings bad luck.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
báihǔxīng
Did you know?
- The term 掃帚星 refers to comets, which were historically viewed as omens of disaster in China. Calling someone a 'broom star' is essentially calling them a human comet.
- The concept of a 'jinx' in Chinese often overlaps with the idea of 煞 (shà), a piercing energy that can be deflected using mirrors or specific charms.
- While 'jinx' in English is often a lighthearted tease, using 掃帚星 in Chinese can feel much more biting and insulting because it characterizes the person as a source of misfortune.
Examples in context
- 那突然密集的乌云是不祥之兆。The sudden dark clouds are an ominous sign.
- 别这样说，那会招衰的！Don't say that, you'll invite bad luck!
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a failed project.
- 佳怡 Jiayi这次项目又失败了。Zhè cì xiàngmù yòu shībài le.This project failed again.
- 志强 Zhiqiang难道我成了白虎星吗？Nándào wǒ chéngle báihǔxīng ma?Could it be that I've become a jinx?
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，你别这么想。Zhìqiáng, nǐ bié zhème xiǎng.Zhiqiang, don't think like that.
- 志强 Zhiqiang但我每次参加都出事。Dàn wǒ měi cì cānjiā dōu chūshì.But something goes wrong every time I join.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jinx” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
