戇
gōng
The Hokkien word for stupid is 戇 (gōng).
The term is used to describe someone or something that is lacking in intelligence.
Meaning: lacking in intelligence (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 戇 is the standard way to express being stupid, other terms exist depending on the specific nuance: 白痴 refers to a fool or an idiot and 笨蛋 is used to describe someone as a dumb person or a blockhead. Additionally, 無能 is used when the meaning shifts from a lack of intelligence to being incompetent.
How do you pronounce it?
gōng
Did you know?
- Close friends or couples in Hokkien-speaking regions may use 戇 as a term of endearment, meaning 'silly' or 'cute'.
- In Hokkien, the word 戇 is sometimes used to describe someone who is so honest that they are easily cheated, which is closer to the English word 'gullible' than 'stupid'.
- Repeating the word as 戇戇 can change a harsh insult into a gentle observation about someone being clumsy.
Examples in context
- 伊真戇。i chin gāng.He is very stupid.
- 這个人真戇。chit ê lâng chin gāng.This person is very stupid.
- 你莫做戇事。lí mài tsò gāng sū.Don't do stupid things.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are discussing a clumsy person they saw.
- 志明 Chi-ming伊做个事真戇。i tsò ê sū chin gāng.The things he did were very stupid.
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun伊是真戇矣。i sī chin gāng–ah.He is truly stupid.
- 志明 Chi-ming曉雯，你敢知伊做啥？hiáu-bûn, lí kám chai i tsò siánn?Xiao Wen, do you know what he did?
- 曉雯 Hiau-bun我攏毋知。guá lóng m̄-chai.I don't know at all.
