闭嘴，猴子
bì zuǐ, hóuzi
The English phrase "shut up, monkey" is translated into Chinese as 闭嘴，猴子 (bì zuǐ, hóuzi).
A rude command telling a person or animal to stop talking, using a derogatory term.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 猴子 (hóuzi) literally means 'monkey'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses a comma to separate the command from the noun used as a vocative.
How do you pronounce it?
bì zuǐ, hóuzi
Did you know?
- While 'shut up' is often translated as 闭嘴 (bì zuǐ), which literally means 'close mouth', a more aggressive or slangy way to say it is 闭上你的臭嘴 (bì shàng nǐ de chòu zuǐ), or 'close your stinky mouth'.
- In Chinese culture, calling someone a 猴子 (hóuzi) can imply they are restless, mischievous, or unable to sit still, rather than just insulting their appearance.
- If you were to use this phrase in a heated argument, using the particle 啊 (a) at the end of 闭嘴啊 (bì zuǐ a) can actually make the command feel more impatient and frustrated rather than just direct.
Examples in context
- 你这个猴子，闭嘴！Shut up, monkey!
- 你快闭嘴，猴子。Nǐ kuài bìzuǐ, hóuzi.Shut up already, monkey.
- 闭嘴，猴子，别吵了。Bìzuǐ, hóuzi, bié chǎo le.Shut up, monkey, stop making noise.
Example conversation
Two siblings are arguing over a toy.
- 佳怡 Jiayi这个玩具是我的！Zhège wánjù shì wǒ de!This toy is mine!
- 浩然 Haoran才不是，它是我的！Cái bùshì, tā shì wǒ de!No it's not, it's mine!
- 佳怡 Jiayi闭嘴，猴子！Bì zuǐ, hóu zi!Shut up, monkey!
- 浩然 Haoran你才像猴子！Nǐ cái xiàng hóu zi!You're the one who looks like a monkey!
