Chinese word

丑

Pronunciation

Pinyinchǒu

Meaning

  • adjectiveugly

Example

别笑他，他不丑。bié xiào tā tā bù chǒu

Don't laugh at him; he isn't ugly.

Illustration for 丑 (ugly)

More examples

化妆太浓，反而显得有点丑。huà zhuāng tài nóng fǎn ér xiǎn de yóu diǎn chǒu

The makeup is too heavy, so the person looks a little ugly instead.

Core concept

An appearance or manner that strikes observers as unattractive, improper, or unpleasant.

Common phrases

  • 长得很丑zhǎng de hén chǒu

    look very ugly

  • 看起来很丑kàn qǐ lái hén chǒu

    look ugly

  • 显得丑xiǎn de chǒu

    appear ugly

Similar words

丑陋chǒu lòu: Very ugly in appearance or manner, with little sense of grace or dignity.
难看nán kàn: Looking bad or giving an unpleasant impression, especially through appearance or expression.
不好看bù hǎo kàn: Not good-looking or appealing, without much visual charm.

Definition in Chinese

外表或行为让人觉得难看、不雅观，常用来评价长相或举止令人不悦的状态。wài biǎo huò xíng wéi ràng rén jué de nán kàn bù yǎ guān cháng yòng lái píng jià zhǎng xiàng huò jú zhǐ lìng rén bú yuè de zhuàng tài

Word origin

丑 (chǒu, "ugly") comes from 醜 (chǒu, "ugly"), a traditional form linked with ideas of repulsiveness and shame that came to describe disliked looks and conduct.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may treat an appearance judgment as simple description, but this word often carries a sharp personal sting in Chinese conversation.

Other meanings

  • unsightlyadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word