傻姑娘
shǎ gūniang
In Chinese, "silly girl" is translated as 傻姑娘 (shǎ gūniang).
傻姑娘 is used to describe a girl or young woman who is foolish or naive. Depending on the tone and context, this phrase can be used affectionately to describe a girl being cute or naive or derisively to call her foolish.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 傻 (shǎ), meaning 'silly' or 'foolish' and 姑娘 (gūniang), meaning 'girl' or 'young woman'.
Which one should you use?
傻丫头 (shǎ yātou) is a common colloquial alternative. 呆萌妹子 (dāi méng mèi zi) can be used to mean "Adorable Silly Girl" and 傻里傻气的女孩 (shǎ lǐ shǎ qì de nǚ hái) can mean "Silly and Foolish Girl".
How do you pronounce it?
shǎ gūniang
Did you know?
- The term 呆萌 (dāi méng) in 呆萌妹子 is a modern loan-concept from the Japanese 'moe', describing a specific kind of clumsy or scatterbrained cuteness.
- The word 丫头 (yātou) in 傻丫头 originally referred to a young maidservant in old China, but it has evolved into a very common, affectionate way to address a younger girl.
- The phrase 傻里傻气 (shǎ lǐ shǎ qì) uses a structure that describes someone as being 'filled with the air of silliness', treating a personality trait as if it were a physical atmosphere surrounding the person.
Examples in context
- 你真是个傻姑娘！You're such a silly girl!
- 小芳昨天又闯祸了，真是个傻里傻气的女孩。Xiao Fang got into trouble again yesterday, she's such a silly and foolish girl.
- 你真是个傻姑娘。Nǐ zhēn shì ge shǎ gūniang.You really are a silly girl.
- 那个傻姑娘竟然相信了他的话。Nàge shǎ gūniang jìngrán xiāngxìnle tā de huà.That silly girl actually believed his words.
- 别像个傻姑娘一样哭。Bié xiàng ge shǎ gūniang yīyàng kū.Don't cry like a silly girl.
Example conversation
Wei is teasing Xiaowen about her naive belief in a ghost story.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，你竟然相信有鬼？Xiǎowén, nǐ jìngrán xiāngxìn yǒu guǐ?Xiaowen, you actually believe in ghosts?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen真的有人跟我说过！Zhēnde yǒurén gēn wǒ shuōguò!Someone really told me so!
- 伟 Wei你这个傻姑娘。Nǐ zhège shǎ gūniang.You silly girl.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen嘿，别笑话我啦。Hēi, bié xiàohua wǒ la.Hey, don't tease me.
