傻瓜
sha gua
In Chinese, the English word "moron" is translated as 傻瓜 (sha gua).
傻瓜 is a mild way to express that someone is a fool or a moron. While it refers to a person of mild mental subnormality in a psychological context, it is commonly used more broadly to call someone silly.
Meaning: psychology, dated: person of mild mental subnormality (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 傻 (shǎ), meaning 'silly' or 'foolish' and 瓜 (guā), meaning 'melon' or 'gourd'.
Which one should you use?
While 傻瓜 describes someone as being silly, the term 笨蛋 (bèn dàn) focuses more specifically on a lack of intelligence or being 'clumsy/stupid'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mainland China, the term 傻逼 is used to mean "moron" or "stupid", but it is highly offensive and vulgar.
How do you pronounce it?
sha gua
Did you know?
- The concept of being 'silly' through the word 傻 is often used in Chinese idioms to describe someone who is too honest or kind for their own good.
- The character 瓜 (guā) meaning 'melon' is used in several Chinese insults to denote a head that is empty or oddly shaped.
- While 傻瓜 is mild, the vulgar version 傻逼 is so offensive that it is often censored in Chinese social media and gaming chats using symbols or homophones.
Examples in context
- 别像个傻瓜一样哭。Bié xiàng gè shǎguā yīyàng kū.Don't cry like a moron.
- 我刚才真像个傻瓜。Wǒ gāngcái zhēn xiàng gè shǎguā.I was such a moron just now.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking after one of them makes a silly mistake.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我忘了带钥匙了。Wǒ wàngle dài yàoshi le.I forgot to bring the keys.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你真是个傻瓜。Zhìqiáng, nǐ zhēn shì gè shǎguā.Zhiqiang, you are such a moron.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我现在很后悔。Wǒ xiànzài hěn hòuhuǐ.I really regret it now.
- 雨婷 Yuting没关系，我们想办法。Méiguānxì, wǒmen xiǎng bànfǎ.It's okay, we'll find a way.
