Swearing has been a part of most individuals’ daily life. If you’re frustrated, happy, or mad, you may verbalize profanities that’ll help you release stress. You might wonder, do Vietnamese people swear? Of course, they do. Here, we’ve gathered the most common Vietnamese swear words you need to watch out for!
The interesting thing about language is that it doesn’t just work as a link to connect with other people. The unique words crafted from a country’s culture and history serve as a way for locals to express themselves, but at some point, we get a little too creative, don’t you think? Especially when swear words were introduced in different languages. Let’s take a look at these creative Vietnamese curse words.
Why Should You Learn Swear Words When Memorizing Languages?
Swearing, despite its often negative connotations, is a fundamental part of any language, including Vietnamese. Generally, profanity isn’t really applicable in polite situations, much like in other cultures. But there are times when we just need these phrases in certain situations or circles. We should note that it’s crucial to understand the context and implications of these words before using them. Misuse can lead to misunderstandings or even insults. Hence, this article aims to inform and not encourage the inappropriate use of Vietnamese swear words.
Vietnamese Swear Words To Learn Today
Swear words, as is true with many languages, often involve crude references or strong emotions. The Vietnamese language is no exception. Beware of using them, though, you wouldn’t want to end up losing a friend if you happen to say something too colorful.
1. Địt mẹ (F**ck)
Now, we don’t really have to spell it out to you, right? If you’re clueless, then just think of its rhyme which is “Duck,” and then make a guess. It’s a swear word used to insult people, but just like in English, younger people may occasionally use it to express their emotions or stress. They even came up with something less harsh, which is “Đụ má.”
2. Con đĩ (Bitch/Sl*t)
You have to hold your horses for a second before you decide to say curse words like this one. It’s not something that Vietnamese use in their daily conversation to describe people. So, if you ever hear someone saying this in a public place, that means things are really bad.
3. Đồ vô học (Uneducated Person)
Saying condescending insults to someone you hate isn’t really the best path to take. However, learning Vietnamese curse words like this can also help you know if someone’s already throwing rude words at you. Hearing this in English may not seem like a bad word, but know that verbalizing these words won’t be pleasing in Vietnamese culture.
4. Lồn (C*nt/P*ssy)
Other languages must’ve invaded your memory already upon seeing this word. Lồn has a similar meaning to c*nt or p*ssy in English, and it’s obviously considered rude to say this to someone.
5. Chó Chết (Dead Dog)
Among all the popular Vietnamese insults mentioned in this post, this one can be the most interesting curse word you’ll encounter. It comes from the literal translation “Dead dog”, but it has the same meaning as “Shit or Damn.” It’s a suitable Vietnamese expression that you may say when you’re frustrated.
While this single word doesn’t end its translation here, you may even hear people use it as an adjective. It also translates to “Bitch.” You better hold your tongue a little if you don’t want to cause any misunderstandings!
Is Swearing Common In Vietnamese?
If you’re familiar with the Vietnamese culture, it won’t be a shocker to hear that hierarchy, maintaining face, and having a high regard for societal harmony are important to them. They value politeness and respect; this is quite evident in their language. However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t say bad things like curse words.
Like in other Asian countries, cursing isn’t really appealing to most people. For example, when Le Thy Ngoc, a famous streamer on YouTube, swore at one of her viewers for throwing hate at her friend. She immediately received backlash from the community. She’s just one of the many influencers who got bashed for responding negatively to a hate comment.
Tips When Responding To Vietnamese Swear Words
Usually, a person responds negatively when receiving an insult. However, as a foreigner living or visiting Vietnam, you might want to respond politely to rude native speakers. Perhaps the quote “Kill them with kindness” applies in situations like this. Here are some tips that you need to take note of when handling Vietnamese insults spoken to you.
Non-Verbal Responses
One of the simplest yet effective ways to handle rude people is to just smile at them or ignore them. Instead of responding negatively, you have to maintain your cool when facing situations like this. Remember that in Vietnamese society, not losing face in public is important!
Verbal Responses
After receiving some bad words from a stranger, you might want to continue ignoring them since they can make you feel uncomfortable. However, in some instances, you’d really need to respond to them.”Tôi không đồng ý” (“I disagree”) or “Có lẽ bạn hiểu lầm” (“Perhaps, you misunderstood”) are two of the many non-confrontational ways to reply to many native speakers. Make sure to keep it respectful to prevent further misunderstandings!
Applying Tact and Diplomacy
Close friends typically hand out popular Vietnamese insults. Always consider your relationship with the person you’re speaking with and assess the context of your conversation. If it’s a fun and casual one, you might want just to give it a pass since swearing is acceptable if you’re good friends, but only in an informal setting.
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How about that? You’ve learned vital words that may sound strange or appalling but are very crucial for any language learner who wants to learn Vietnamese. These insults listed in this post don’t mean that you need to use these insults to make fun of your friends or strangers. These swear words introduced are purely for educational purposes, but if you ever find yourself in a tight spot, you might want to learn alternative Vietnamese phrases. Learning more phrases can also make you sound cooler compared to Vietnamese swear words!
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