How to Say "Stupid" in Cantonese

蠢

ceon²

蠢 (ceon²) is the Cantonese word for stupid.

While 蠢 means lacking intelligence, it is frequently used to describe someone making a foolish or unwise decision rather than just a low IQ.

Meaning: lacking in intelligence (adj)

Which one should you use?

傻 means silly and is used in informal settings, while 白痴 means idiot and is used informally to express a higher level of stupidity.

The word 咁 is often used before 蠢 to mean 'so stupid' or 'this stupid' (e.g., 咁蠢).

ceon²

The character 蠢 contains a radical meaning 'insect' at the bottom. Historically, it referred to the slow and clumsy movement of larvae or worms.
In Hong Kong, the phrase 傻得嚟好得意 translates to 'stupid in a way that is cute', a common way to describe a clumsy pet or partner.
In Cantonese slang, calling someone 傻仔 (silly boy) or 傻女 (silly girl) is often used as a term of endearment between close friends or lovers, rather than as a genuine insult.

我未蠢到借錢俾佢。
I'm not stupid enough to lend him money.
This sentence shows how to use 蠢 to describe a level of foolishness in a decision.
Tatoeba #7996186 by nickyeow, translation #2664385 by CH
佢冇乜機會會係你想像中咁蠢。
It's unlikely she's as stupid as you think.
This sentence uses 蠢 to compare someone's perceived intelligence with reality.
Tatoeba #1692119 by kaenif, translation #954098 by CK
咪咁蠢啦！
Stop being so stupid.
This sentence demonstrates how to tell someone to stop being so foolish using 蠢.
Tatoeba #12084929 by thesilhouette, translation #8321582 by Amastan
你今次做嘢真係好傻啊！
You did something really stupid this time!
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Jun Kit and Mei Ling are discussing a bad decision someone made.

俊傑 Chun Kit

佢點解可以咁蠢？
keoi5 dim2 gaai3 ho2 ji5 gam3 ceon2?
How could he be so stupid?
美玲 Mei Ling

我唔知，佢真係好蠢。
ngo5 m4 zi1, keoi5 zan1 hai6 hou2 ceon2.
I don't know, he really is very stupid.
俊傑 Chun Kit

佢應該要學下諗嘢。
keoi5 jing1 goi1 jiu3 hok6 haa5 nam2 je5.
He should learn how to think.
美玲 Mei Ling

係，佢太蠢喇。
hai6, keoi5 taai3 ceon2 laa3.
Yes, he is too stupid.

Sources

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