bạn xấu
[ʔɓaːn˧˨ʔ səw˧˦]word by word
The phrase "you're ugly" in Vietnamese is bạn xấu.
bạn xấu is a statement used to tell someone that they are not physically attractive. Because Vietnamese uses many different pronouns based on social hierarchy, the word bạn is only appropriate for peers or friends. Using it with elders or strangers would be grammatically incorrect and socially awkward.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bạn (friend or you) and xấu (bad or ugly).
Which one should you use?
The word xấu can mean both physically ugly and morally bad depending on the context. To make the description of physical ugliness more emphatic and descriptive, you can use the form xấu xí.
How does it change in a sentence?
To add emphasis to the adjective xấu, you can insert rất (very) before it, as in Bạn rất xấu.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese, calling someone xấu can be a playful tease between close couples, whereas in English it is almost always an insult.
- The word xấu is a 'Chữ Nôm' reading, meaning it is a native Vietnamese way of pronouncing a Chinese character that has a different official Sino-Vietnamese reading.
- Adding the word xí to create xấu xí doesn't just add emphasis, it transforms the word into a more descriptive adjective often used in fairy tales.
Examples in context
- Bạn xấu xí.You're ugly.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase bạn xấu.Tatoeba #13640354 by leucammieuvu, translation #2789146 by Hybrid
- Bạn xấu quá.You are so ugly.
Example conversation
Hùng and Mai are joking around during a break.
- HùngNhìn kìa, bạn xấu quá!Look, you're so ugly!
- MaiHùng, đừng nói vậy chứ!Hùng, don't say that!
- HùngTôi chỉ đùa rằng bạn xấu thôi.I was just joking that you're ugly.
- MaiBạn thật là quá đáng.You are really mean.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bạn, xấu) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bạn, xấu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
