你真笨
nǐ zhēn bèn
The Chinese phrase for "you're dumb" is 你真笨 (nǐ zhēn bèn).
This phrase is used to tell someone that they lack intelligence or are acting foolishly. While 笨 can refer to being physically clumsy, in this specific context it refers to a lack of mental quickness or intelligence.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 你 (you), 真 (really/truly) and 笨 (stupid/clumsy).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
你真笨 is an informal expression. Depending on your tone of voice, it can range from a playful tease between friends to a genuine insult.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 笨 functions as an adjective, so it does not require a verb like 是 (to be) when used with the intensifier 真.
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ zhēn bèn
Did you know?
- The word 笨 is frequently paired with 蛋 (egg) to create 笨蛋, a common noun for 'dummy' that is far more frequent in casual speech than the full sentence 你真笨.
- The character 笨 originally referred to the clumsiness of a large, heavy animal, linking mental slowness with physical lack of agility.
- A common playful response to being called 笨 in a relationship is to act even more confused, turning the insult into a cute persona known as 卖萌.
Examples in context
- 你的理解能力有限Your understanding is limited.
- 你真蠢You're really dumb.
- 你真笨You're really foolish.
- 傻撚Dumb
- 你真笨。Nǐ zhēn bèn.You are really dumb.
- 怎么连这个都不知道？你真笨。Zěnme lián zhège dōu bù zhīdào? Nǐ zhēn bèn.How do you not even know this? You're so dumb.
- 别总是犯这种错，你真笨。Bié zǒngshì fàn zhè zhǒng cuò, nǐ zhēn bèn.Don't always make these kinds of mistakes, you're so foolish.
Example conversation
Xiaowen is teasing Zhiqiang because he forgot his keys again.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你又忘了带钥匙，你真笨。Nǐ yòu wàngle dài yàoshi, nǐ zhēn bèn.You forgot your keys again, you are so dumb.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我只是太粗心了。Wǒ zhǐshì tài cūxīn le.I was just too careless.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen下次一定要注意啊。Xià cì yīdìng yào zhùyì a.You must be careful next time.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我知道了，下次不会了。Wǒ zhīdào le, xià cì bù huì le.I know, it won't happen next time.
