Chinese
10 Chinese swear words you'll actually hear
A traveller's shortlist of Chinese expletives, insults and exclamations — what they mean, and how strong they are.
Every language swears differently. This guide collects 10 Chinese expressions you're genuinely likely to hear — from mild exclamations to properly strong stuff — and explains what each one actually means, not just its dictionary translation.
Burn Ratings are an approximate, cross-language heuristic. Context, region, tone and who's speaking all change how a word lands. Treat these as a guide, not gospel.
- 他妈的 4/5 · Strong
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.
Full entry → - 妈的 3/5 · Vulgar
mā de
This is a short exclamation similar to saying 'damn' or 'fuck' in English. It literally translates to 'mother's,' but it's used more as an expression of frustration or anger.
Full entry → - 滚蛋 3/5 · Vulgar
gǔndàn
It means 'get lost' or 'fuck off' as a rude way to dismiss someone. The literal translation 'roll egg' is not used in this context.
Full entry → - 傻逼 4/5 · Strong
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.
Full entry → - 不要脸 2/5 · Coarse
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.
Full entry → - 狗屁 3/5 · Vulgar
gǒu pì
It's a dismissive term for nonsense or bullshit. Literally, it translates to 'dog fart.'
Full entry → - 屌 4/5 · Strong
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.
Full entry → - 二逼 4/5 · Strong
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.
Full entry → - 他奶奶的 2/5 · Coarse
tā nǎinai de
This phrase translates to 'his grandmother's' but is used as a euphemistic curse meaning 'damn it.'
Full entry → - 混球 3/5 · Vulgar
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.
Full entry →