你真坏
nǐ zhēn huài
The English phrase "you're bad" is translated into Chinese as 你真坏 (nǐ zhēn huài).
你真坏 is a playful or flirtatious way to tell someone they are being naughty or mischievous. It is commonly used in romantic or playful social interactions to tease someone for being cheeky or suggestive. While 坏 (huài) can mean "evil" or "wicked" in serious contexts, when used with 真 (zhēn) in a lighthearted tone, it specifically means 'naughty' or 'mischievous' in a flirtatious way.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 你 (you), 真 (really) and 坏 (bad/naughty). Literally, it translates to "you really bad".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the phrase 冇水平 (mou5 seoi2 ping4) literally means 'no level' or 'incompetent'.
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ zhēn huài
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the word 坏 (huài) is also used to describe food that has gone rotten or spoiled. This creates a stark contrast between calling a person 'bad' in a flirtatious way and calling a piece of fruit 'bad'.
- While the phrase translates to 'you are bad', a person might respond with 哪有 (nǎ yǒu), which literally means 'where is it?' but functions as a bashful way to say 'I am not!'
- In many romantic Chinese dramas, a character might say 你真坏 while playfully hitting the other person on the arm. This physical gesture is a standard part of the 'playful' way to deliver the line.
Examples in context
- 你的表现不好。(Nǐ de biǎoxiàn bù hǎo.)Your performance is not good.
- 你真烂，连这个都做不好。(Nǐ zhēn làn, lián zhège dōu zuò bù hǎo.)You're so bad, you can't even do this right.
- 别那么菜嘛，好好练习一下吧。(Bié nàme cài ma, hǎo hǎo liànxí yíxià ba.)Don't be so useless, practice properly.
- 你真坏，总是逗我。Nǐ zhēn huài, zǒng shì dòu wǒ.You're bad, you're always teasing me.
- 你真坏，居然骗我。Nǐ zhēn huài, jū rán piàn wǒ.You're bad, I can't believe you tricked me.
- 别说了，你真坏。Bié shuō le, nǐ zhēn huài.Stop it, you're bad.
Example conversation
A couple is joking around in a cafe.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你真坏，故意不告诉我答案。Nǐ zhēn huài, gù yì bù gào sù wǒ dá àn.You're bad, purposely not telling me the answer.
- 雨婷 Yuting我只是想看你的反应。Wǒ zhǐ shì xiǎng kàn nǐ de fǎn yìng.I just wanted to see your reaction.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你越来越淘气了。Yǔ tíng, nǐ yuè lái yuè táo qì le.Yuting, you are getting more and more mischievous.
- 雨婷 Yuting是吗？志强也一样。Shì ma? Zhì qiáng yě yī yàng.Really? Zhiqiang, you are too.
