Chinese word

俗

Pronunciation

Pinyinsú

Meaning

  • adjectivetacky

Example

这个设计有点俗，不太时尚。zhè ge shè jì yóu diǎn sú bú tài shí shàng

This design is a bit tacky and not very fashionable.

Illustration for 俗 (tacky)

More examples

主持人为了逗笑观众说了些有点俗的玩笑。zhǔ chí rén wéi le dòu xiào guān zhòng shuō le xiē yóu diǎn sú de wán xiào

To make the audience laugh, the host told some slightly tacky jokes.

Core concept

A familiar, mass-appeal style whose lack of restraint makes it seem cheap, vulgar, or unfashionable.

Common phrases

  • 俗不可耐sú bù kě nài

    unbearably tacky

  • 俗气sú qì

    tacky

Similar words

俗气sú qì: Tacky in appearance or manner, with a cheap and showy feel.
低俗dī sú: Vulgar and low in taste, especially in content or entertainment.
粗俗cū sú: Coarse and lacking refinement, especially in speech or behavior.
庸俗yōng sú: Ordinary and unrefined, making content or expression feel cheap.

Definition in Chinese

带有贬义，指缺乏审美或品位，显得庸俗、俗气，常用于批评外表、设计或言谈的粗俗之处。dài yǒu biǎn yì zhǐ quē fá shén měi huò pǐn wèi xiǎn de yōng sú sú qì cháng yòng yú pī píng wài biǎo shè jì huò yán tán de cū sú zhī chù

Word origin

俗 (sú, "customary") first referred to ordinary social customs and later gained a negative sense for things judged common, unrefined, or lacking taste.

Usage tips

  • A direct English reading can overstate the insult, since everyday use may target only a choice of clothing, design, or wording rather than the whole person.

Other meanings

  • vulgaradjective
  • popularadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 俗气sú qìtackyadjective
  • 俗套sú tàoclichenoun

Word lists with this word