Chinese word

家伙

Pronunciation

Pinyinjiā huo

Meaning

  • nounguy

Example

那个家伙很帅。nà ge jiā huo hěn shuài

That guy is very handsome.

Illustration for 家伙 (guy)

More examples

那个家伙骗了大家。nà ge jiā huo piàn le dà jiā

That guy fooled everyone.

Core concept

A familiar name for one noticeable person or thing, without using its formal name.

Common phrases

  • 这个家伙zhè ge jiā huo

    this guy

  • 你这个家伙nǐ zhè ge jiā huo

    You rascal

  • 这家伙zhè jiā huo

    this fellow

Similar words

人rén: One human being, described in a plain and neutral way.
东西dōng xī: An object or item, described in a plain and neutral way.

Definition in Chinese

口语里用来称呼或代指人和物的俗称，常指人，语气可随语境表现出随便、亲近或贬低，通常作名词使用。kóu yǔ lǐ yòng lái chēng hū huò dài zhǐ rén hé wù de sú chēng cháng zhǐ rén yǔ qì kě suí yǔ jìng biǎo xiàn chū suí biàn qīn jìn huò biǎn dī tōng cháng zuò míng cí shǐ yòng

Word origin

家伙 (jiāhuo, "guy") developed from an older colloquial word for things kept or used in a household into a broad label for people and things.

Usage tips

  • Its tone depends strongly on the relationship and intonation: among friends it can show fond teasing, while in an irritated remark it can show annoyance.

Related words

  • 小家伙xiǎo jiā huolittle onenoun
  • 老家伙lǎo jiā huǒold fellownoun
  • 好家伙hǎo jiā huooh myinterjection

Word lists with this word