Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 蠢 | chǔn |
| 笨 | bèn |
| 呆 | dāi |
| 愚 | yú |
| 愚笨的 | yúbèn de |
These terms are used to describe a lack of intelligence or judgment. For instance, you can use the term 傻子 to refer to a 'stupid person'.
What does it mean word for word?
In the common noun 笨蛋, the character 蛋 (egg) is added to 笨 to create a term for a 'stupid person'.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on their specific nuance and context. 笨 is the most common way to describe someone as being slow-witted or lacking intelligence in daily conversation. In contrast, 呆 specifically describes a 'blank' or 'dull' look, often used to describe someone who is staring vacantly or is slow to react. The single character 傻 is a very common, colloquial way to say someone is being silly or acting stupidly.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Registers vary significantly between these terms. 愚蠢 is a more formal and literary way to express stupidity compared to the colloquial 笨 or 蠢, and suggests a lack of wisdom or judgment. On the other hand, 白痴 is an informal term that translates to idiot or moron.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
chǔn
When do people say it?
Adding 蛋 (egg) to 笨 creates a common noun for a 'stupid person', which can be used as a playful or lighthearted insult among friends.
Did you know?
- The character 蠢 includes a radical meaning 'insects'. In its earliest usage, it described the wriggling, chaotic movement of larvae.
- Calling someone a 笨蛋 (stupid egg) is often an expression of endearment or a playful tease between couples and close friends.
- In Chinese culture, modesty is highly valued, so people may use 笨 to describe their own skills as 'clumsy' even when they are actually proficient.
Examples in context
- 你真的不笨。You're really not stupid.This sentence shows how to use a negative to say someone is not slow-witted using 笨.Tatoeba #5259025 by xjjAstrus, translation #1416 by Zifre
- 我不是笨蛋。I'm not stupid.This sentence uses the noun form of 笨 to deny being a stupid person.Tatoeba #8698960 by crescat, translation #1108790 by CK
- 我們並不蠢。We are not stupid.This sentence shows how to use a negative to say a group is not foolish using 蠢.Tatoeba #13663161 by LeviHighway, translation #12115512 by Amastan
- 他做事真傻。He does things really stupidly.
- 她的行为非常愚蠢。Her behavior is extremely stupid.
- 别这么笨！Don't be so stupid!
- 你真是个白痴。You are a real moron.
- 非常愚蠢Extremely stupid
- 真傻Really foolish
- 不明智Unwise
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a mistake made during a game.
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，你刚才太蠢了。Wěi, nǐ gāngcái tài chǔn le.Wei, you were so stupid just now.
- 伟 Wei我知道，我真的太蠢了。Wǒ zhīdào, wǒ zhēnde tài chǔn le.I know, I was really too stupid.
- 佳怡 Jiayi别难过了，佳怡陪你。Bié nánguò le, Jiāyí péi nǐ.Don't be sad, Jiayi is here with you.
- 伟 Wei谢谢佳怡，下次我会注意。Xièxiè Jiāyí, xiàcì wǒ huì zhùyì.Thank you, Jiayi, I will be careful next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stupid” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 呆, 愚, 笨, 蠢, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
