你很丑
nǐ hěn chǒu
In Chinese, "you are ugly" is said as 你很丑 (nǐ hěn chǒu).
This phrase is used to state that someone is not physically attractive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 你很丑 literally translates to "you very ugly". The adverb 很 (hěn) is used to link the subject to the adjective.
Which one should you use?
While 你很丑 is the standard way to express this, using 你丑 (nǐ chǒu) without the 很 can sound more abrupt or even grammatically incomplete in casual speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Cantonese dialect, you can say 你好醜喎！ to mean "you are so ugly!"
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ hěn chǒu
Did you know?
- In some Chinese social circles, calling a close friend or a baby 丑 (chǒu) can actually be a form of endearment or a way to avoid 'jinxing' their good looks by attracting negative spirits.
- In traditional Chinese Opera, the 丑 (chǒu) refers to the 'clown' role, characterized by a white patch of paint on the nose to signal a comic or mischievous character.
- The character for ugly, 丑 (chǒu), is also the second Earthly Branch of the Chinese zodiac, representing the Ox.
Examples in context
- 你很丑。Nǐ hěn chǒu.You are ugly.
- 我觉得你很丑。Wǒ juéde nǐ hěn chǒu.I think you are ugly.
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing playfully about their looks.
- 伟 Wei佳怡，我觉得我比你帅。Jiāyí, wǒ juéde wǒ bǐ nǐ shuài.Jiayi, I think I am more handsome than you.
- 佳怡 Jiayi怎么可能？你很丑！Zěnme kěnéng? Nǐ hěn chǒu!How is that possible? You are ugly!
- 伟 Wei你才丑呢。Nǐ cái chǒu ne.You're the one who is ugly.
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，你太没礼貌了。Wěi, nǐ tài méi lǐmào le.Wei, you are so rude.
