Language
Chinese swear words
A guide to swearing in Chinese: 43 words and phrases from the Swear Atlas catalogue, organised from mild to strong and explained in plain English. Every entry links to its full page with meaning, pronunciation and a 1–5 Burn Rating.
Common Chinese swear words
The recognisable everyday expressions, with what each one actually means.
- 他妈的 · tā mā de This is a strong exclamation or intensifier similar to 'fucking' in English. It literally translates to 'his mother's,' but that's not how it's used in conversation. 4/5 · Strong
- 不要脸 · bú yào liǎn Literally “not want face”. It means shameless or an accusation of disgraceful behavior. The literal translation refers to not wanting face, but it's not about looks. 2/5 · Coarse
- 他奶奶的 · tā nǎinai de This phrase translates to 'his grandmother's' but is used as a euphemistic curse meaning 'damn it.' 2/5 · Coarse
- 傻子 · shǎzi It means 'fool' and is used to insult someone perceived as foolish. It's more of a disparaging label than a serious accusation of stupidity. 2/5 · Coarse
- 傻帽 · shǎmào It's an insult for someone considered an idiot. Literally, it translates to 'foolish hat.' 2/5 · Coarse
- 去你的 · qù nǐ de It's a way of telling someone to get lost, similar to saying 'fuck off' in English. The literal translation is 'go your' but it's not commonly used literally. 2/5 · Coarse
- 吸血鬼 · xīxuèguǐ It refers to someone who exploits others, like a leech. While it literally means 'vampire,' the figurative use is the focus here. 2/5 · Coarse
- 呆子 · dāizi This is an insult referring to someone perceived as a fool or dullard. It literally translates to 'dull person.' 2/5 · Coarse
Milder expressions
Gentler exclamations and everyday grumbles.
- 懒虫 · lǎnchóng It's a teasing or insulting term for someone who is perceived as lazy. Literally, it translates to 'lazy insect.' 1/5 · Mild
- 讨厌鬼 · tǎoyànguǐ It refers to an annoying person or a little pest. The literal translation is 'annoying ghost.' 1/5 · Mild
- 不要脸 · bú yào liǎn Literally “not want face”. It means shameless or an accusation of disgraceful behavior. The literal translation refers to not wanting face, but it's not about looks. 2/5 · Coarse
- 他奶奶的 · tā nǎinai de This phrase translates to 'his grandmother's' but is used as a euphemistic curse meaning 'damn it.' 2/5 · Coarse
- 傻子 · shǎzi It means 'fool' and is used to insult someone perceived as foolish. It's more of a disparaging label than a serious accusation of stupidity. 2/5 · Coarse
- 傻帽 · shǎmào It's an insult for someone considered an idiot. Literally, it translates to 'foolish hat.' 2/5 · Coarse
- 去你的 · qù nǐ de It's a way of telling someone to get lost, similar to saying 'fuck off' in English. The literal translation is 'go your' but it's not commonly used literally. 2/5 · Coarse
- 吸血鬼 · xīxuèguǐ It refers to someone who exploits others, like a leech. While it literally means 'vampire,' the figurative use is the focus here. 2/5 · Coarse
Stronger stuff
The heavier end of the scale — handle with care.
- 二逼 · èrbī It's a vulgar insult used to call someone foolish or stupid. The term literally translates to 'two逼', where '逼' refers to a derogatory term for a person, but it’s mostly just used as an insult without a direct translation. 4/5 · Strong
- 他妈的 · tā mā de This is a strong exclamation or intensifier similar to 'fucking' in English. It literally translates to 'his mother's,' but that's not how it's used in conversation. 4/5 · Strong
- 傻逼 · shǎ bī This is a very vulgar insult that means 'fucking idiot.' It literally translates to 'stupid vulva,' but that's not how it's used in practice. 4/5 · Strong
- 吃屎 · chī shǐ Literally “eat excrement”. This term is used as a hostile insult or dismissal, essentially telling someone to 'eat shit.' 4/5 · Strong
- 屌 · diǎo This term literally means 'penis' but is often used as a vulgar intensifier in slang. It can express strong emotions or emphasize a point. 4/5 · Strong
- 鸡巴 · jī ba This is a very crude term for 'penis' in Mandarin. It's among the most vulgar ways to refer to male genitalia. 4/5 · Strong
Chinese insults
Words aimed at a person rather than shouted at the world.
- 二逼 · èrbī It's a vulgar insult used to call someone foolish or stupid. The term literally translates to 'two逼', where '逼' refers to a derogatory term for a person, but it’s mostly just used as an insult without a direct translation. 4/5 · Strong
- 傻逼 · shǎ bī This is a very vulgar insult that means 'fucking idiot.' It literally translates to 'stupid vulva,' but that's not how it's used in practice. 4/5 · Strong
- 吃屎 · chī shǐ Literally “eat excrement”. This term is used as a hostile insult or dismissal, essentially telling someone to 'eat shit.' 4/5 · Strong
- 下三烂 · xià sānlàn This is an insult aimed at someone or something considered low and contemptible. It's used to express disdain or contempt. 3/5 · Vulgar
- 屁民 · pìmín This term refers to ordinary people in a contemptuous or self-mocking way, highlighting their powerlessness. Literally, it translates to 'fart people,' which adds a layer of dismissiveness. 3/5 · Vulgar
- 废物 · fèiwù It’s an insult that calls someone useless or worthless. The literal translation refers to waste material, but in this context, it’s about a person's value. 3/5 · Vulgar
- 混球 · húnqiú It's an insult used to call someone a scoundrel or jerk. The literal translation, 'muddled ball,' adds a quirky touch but doesn't change the intent. 3/5 · Vulgar
- 混蛋 · hún dàn It's an insult used to call someone a bastard or jerk. It's a direct way to express disdain for someone's actions or character. 3/5 · Vulgar
How to pronounce them
An English-friendly “sounds like” cue for each.
- 懒虫 · lǎnchóng Sounds like “lan-CHONG”. 1/5 · Mild
- 讨厌鬼 · tǎoyànguǐ Sounds like “tao-YANG-gway”. 1/5 · Mild
- 不要脸 · bú yào liǎn Sounds like “boo YOW lyen”. 2/5 · Coarse
- 他奶奶的 · tā nǎinai de Sounds like “tah NAI-nai duh”. 2/5 · Coarse
- 傻子 · shǎzi Sounds like “SHAH-dzuh”. 2/5 · Coarse
- 傻帽 · shǎmào Sounds like “sha-MOW”. 2/5 · Coarse
- 去你的 · qù nǐ de Sounds like “chyoo NEE duh”. 2/5 · Coarse
- 吸血鬼 · xīxuèguǐ Sounds like “shee-shweh-GWAY”. 2/5 · Coarse
Curious literal translations
What these expressions say word-for-word, versus what they really mean.
- 不要脸 · bú yào liǎn Literally “not want face” — It means shameless or an accusation of disgraceful behavior. The literal translation refers to not wanting face, but it's not about looks. 2/5 · Coarse
- 闭嘴 · bìzuǐ Literally “close mouth” — It means 'shut up', used as a rude command to tell someone to stop talking. 2/5 · Coarse
- 烂泥扶不上墙 · làn ní fú bù shàng qiáng Literally “rotten mud cannot be put on a wall” — This means someone is hopeless and can't be improved, no matter the help they receive. The literal translation refers to rotten mud that can't support a wall, emphasizing the futility of the situation. 3/5 · Vulgar
- 吃屎 · chī shǐ Literally “eat excrement” — This term is used as a hostile insult or dismissal, essentially telling someone to 'eat shit.' 4/5 · Strong
How strong is Chinese swearing?
Burn Rating spread across all 43 Chinese entries (1 = mild, 5 = extreme).
- 1 · Mild 2
- 2 · Coarse 17
- 3 · Vulgar 18
- 4 · Strong 6
- 5 · Extreme 0
All Chinese words A–Z
他
- 他奶奶的 · tā nǎinai de This phrase translates to 'his grandmother's' but is used as a euphemistic curse meaning 'damn it.' 2/5 · Coarse
- 他妈的 · tā mā de This is a strong exclamation or intensifier similar to 'fucking' in English. It literally translates to 'his mother's,' but that's not how it's used in conversation. 4/5 · Strong
傻
- 傻子 · shǎzi It means 'fool' and is used to insult someone perceived as foolish. It's more of a disparaging label than a serious accusation of stupidity. 2/5 · Coarse
- 傻帽 · shǎmào It's an insult for someone considered an idiot. Literally, it translates to 'foolish hat.' 2/5 · Coarse
- 傻逼 · shǎ bī This is a very vulgar insult that means 'fucking idiot.' It literally translates to 'stupid vulva,' but that's not how it's used in practice. 4/5 · Strong
吃
呆
屁
- 屁民 · pìmín This term refers to ordinary people in a contemptuous or self-mocking way, highlighting their powerlessness. Literally, it translates to 'fart people,' which adds a layer of dismissiveness. 3/5 · Vulgar
- 屁眼 · pì yǎn This term literally means 'anus' and is used as a coarse anatomical reference. It can also imply someone is acting foolishly or in a silly manner. 3/5 · Vulgar
- 屁话 · pìhuà It means bullshit or nonsense, referring to something that is not serious or worthy of attention. Literally, it translates to 'fart talk.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- 屁话连篇 · pìhuà liánpiān It refers to a stream of bullshit or nonsense. The literal translation is 'pages of fart talk', which highlights its dismissive nature. 3/5 · Vulgar
懒
- 懒猪 · lǎnzhū This is an insult or teasing term for someone who is lazy, likening them to a lazy pig. It's a playful jab rather than a harsh insult, depending on the tone used. 2/5 · Coarse
- 懒虫 · lǎnchóng It's a teasing or insulting term for someone who is perceived as lazy. Literally, it translates to 'lazy insect.' 1/5 · Mild
- 懒鬼 · lǎnguǐ This is an insult for someone who is lazy. It literally translates to 'lazy ghost,' but it doesn't carry any supernatural connotations. 2/5 · Coarse
扯
放
流
混
- 混球 · húnqiú It's an insult used to call someone a scoundrel or jerk. The literal translation, 'muddled ball,' adds a quirky touch but doesn't change the intent. 3/5 · Vulgar
- 混蛋 · hún dàn It's an insult used to call someone a bastard or jerk. It's a direct way to express disdain for someone's actions or character. 3/5 · Vulgar
- 混账 · hùnzhàng It’s an insult that means scoundrel or outrageous person. The literal translation refers to 'muddled accounts,' which adds a sense of chaos to the insult. 3/5 · Vulgar
狗
- 狗东西 · gǒu dōngxi This is a strong personal insult that dehumanizes the target, essentially calling someone a 'dog thing.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- 狗屁 · gǒu pì It's a dismissive term for nonsense or bullshit. Literally, it translates to 'dog fart.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- 狗屎 · gǒu shǐ It means shit or refers to something contemptible or worthless. The literal translation is 'dog excrement.' 3/5 · Vulgar