What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bạn thật xấu tính is composed of bạn (you/friend), thật (really/truly) and xấu tính (bad-natured/mean).
Which one should you use?
Depending on the intensity and the person you are addressing, different forms may be used. Bạn hơi ác means "You're a bit mean", while Bạn thật ác độc means "You're really mean". For even stronger emphasis, Bạn quá độc ác translates to "You're extremely mean".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The choice of pronoun significantly changes the tone. Replacing bạn with mày to say mày thật xấu tính makes the phrase much more aggressive or informal, often used between very close friends or during an argument. Other informal common variations include Bạn ác quá! or mày/cậu thật độc ác when addressing peers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective xấu tính is formed by the words xấu (bad) and tính (character/nature).
Did you know?
- Vietnamese has a vast array of pronouns based on age and social rank. If you call an older person 'mean' using bạn, it would be seen as a deliberate and shocking act of disrespect rather than just a comment on their personality.
- The word xấu in xấu tính is a non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of the Chinese character for 'ugly'. This means that calling someone 'mean' in Vietnamese is linguistically tied to the idea of being physically unattractive.
- In Vietnamese, the word tính can refer to both a person's character and the concept of 'calculation' or 'math'.
Examples in context
- Bạn thật xấu tính khi nói vậy.You are mean for saying that.
- Đừng đối xử với mọi người như vậy, bạn thật xấu tính.Don't treat people like that, you're mean.
- Tại sao bạn lại nói dối tôi? Bạn thật xấu tính.Why did you lie to me? You're mean.
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing about a broken toy.
- HươngBạn đã làm hỏng món đồ chơi của tôi!You broke my toy!
- NamTôi không cố ý mà.I didn't do it on purpose.
- HươngBạn thật xấu tính, Nam ạ.You're mean, Nam.
- NamXin lỗi Hương, tôi sẽ mua cái mới.I'm sorry, Huong, I will buy a new one.
