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Hi, does the word 三八 mean stupid? If yes, can anyone please tell me the origin of this term? Thank you.
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The meaning of 三八
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#2
Posted 11 March 2009 - 04:08 PM
The slang 三八 (3 8) comes from International Women's day, which is celebrated on March 8.
Accordingly, 三八 can mean girly or girlish, and can be applied to both guys and girls.
However, the exact usage / meaning of 三八 differs greatly by context.
In a derogatory context, 三八 could mean bitchy, slutty, foolish, etc.
In other contexts, 三八 could simply mean someone who's funny, always joking, not serious, etc. (especially for girls).
A more common slang for stupid is perhaps 二百五 (250). 250 is half a jīn (斤= 500 grams), so 二百五 means "half brain".
Accordingly, 三八 can mean girly or girlish, and can be applied to both guys and girls.
However, the exact usage / meaning of 三八 differs greatly by context.
In a derogatory context, 三八 could mean bitchy, slutty, foolish, etc.
In other contexts, 三八 could simply mean someone who's funny, always joking, not serious, etc. (especially for girls).
A more common slang for stupid is perhaps 二百五 (250). 250 is half a jīn (斤= 500 grams), so 二百五 means "half brain".
#3
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Posted 11 March 2009 - 04:09 PM
The search function of this website is nothing to rave about, but sometimes it is useful. These threads, with the info you look for, come up in a simple search for 三八 ->
http://www.chinese-f...hread.php?t=813
http://www.chinese-f...hread.php?t=448
http://www.chinese-f...read.php?t=1407
http://www.chinese-f...hread.php?t=813
http://www.chinese-f...hread.php?t=448
http://www.chinese-f...read.php?t=1407
#4
Posted 11 March 2009 - 04:21 PM
Quote
does the word 三八 mean stupid?
Not really. Pathetic moron would be more accurate in a derogatory context. It's used a lot in Taiwan.
#6
Posted 19 March 2009 - 10:32 PM
三八 is sort of like 泼妇，a bitch who's always nagging and incessant.
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