歹看
phái-khuànn
The Hokkien word for "ugly" is 歹看 (phái-khuànn).
The term is used to describe something that is displeasing to the eye or not aesthetically pleasing.
Meaning: displeasing to the eye, not aesthetically pleasing (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 歹看 literally means "bad to look at".
How do you pronounce it?
phái-khuànn
Did you know?
- The word 歹 is used in the common slang phrase 歹勢, which means 'sorry' or 'embarrassed'. It shares the same root for 'bad' as the word for 'ugly'.
- While 歹看 usually describes appearance, using it to describe a person's behavior means their actions are shameful or socially unacceptable.
- The character 歹 used in 歹看 is a radical in Chinese characters that historically relates to death or failure.
Examples in context
- 阿滿的新屋真醜陋。A-Mn's new house is really ugly.
- 這件衫真歹看。tsit sian tsin phai khun.This piece of clothing is really ugly.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a new wallpaper sample.
- 佳怡 Chia-yi家豪，你覺得這款壁紙怎樣？Ka-hâu, lí kiat-tek che khuán pì-chí chán-iàng?Jia Hao, what do you think of this wallpaper?
- 家豪 Ka-hao我覺得太歹看了。guá kiat-tek thài phái-khòaⁿ liáu.I think it's too ugly.
- 佳怡 Chia-yi真的嗎？我以為很特別。chin-siànn–kah? guá i-uî hian thê-piat.Really? I thought it was very unique.
- 家豪 Ka-hao太亂了，真的很歹看。thài luān liáu, chin-siànn phái-khòaⁿ.It's too messy, it's really ugly.
