# How to say “dumbass” in Chinese

> The mildest way to say “dumbass” in Chinese is 笨蛋 (bèn dàn), “dummy”. The strongest is 白痴 (bái chī), “complete idiot”. Here are all 10, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.

Source: https://lanlanchinese.com/how-to-say/dumbass-in-chinese (updated 2026-10-18)

1. **笨蛋** (bèn dàn) (strength 1/5): dummy. Cute. Couples say it all the time.
   Heard in a real video: 你个笨蛋货，那可是钱。 "You dummy, that was money!" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dht7_sMBXxA&t=21s)
   Heard in a real video: 这个笨蛋货怎么还不来。 "Where's that idiot? Still not here." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15_hC0ebHbA&t=22s)
2. **傻瓜** (shǎ guā) (strength 2/5): silly fool (lit. silly melon). Soft, almost a compliment.
   Heard in a real video: 你就是个大傻瓜。 "I told that guy, 'You're a big fool.'" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmqNdIIPsMs&t=30s)
   Heard in a real video: 我还是继续当傻瓜吧。 "I'll just keep playing dumb." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjBdrIM78R4&t=73s)
3. **二货** (èr huò) (strength 3/5): idiot, airhead. For the friend who walks into glass doors.
4. **蠢货** (chǔn huò) (strength 4/5): moron. Now it's not a joke.
   Heard in a real video: 好像人都是后知后觉的蠢货。 "It's as if people are all fools who get it too late." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQQooC0YEME&t=516s)
5. **白痴** (bái chī) (strength 5/5): complete idiot. Fighting words.

## More ways, mild to strong again

6. **二哈** (èr hā) (strength 1/5): silly husky. Cute dumb. For the lovable but lost friend.
7. **傻帽** (shǎ mào) (strength 2/5): fool. Beijing flavour, still friendly.
8. **缺心眼** (quē xīn yǎn) (strength 3/5): dim-witted (lit. missing a heart's eye). When they never read the room.
   Heard in a real video: 我说你缺心眼似的。 "You're such a fool." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeAtn9P6_0I&t=509s)
9. **榆木脑袋** (yú mù nǎo dai) (strength 4/5): thickhead (lit. elm-wood head). For the one who never gets it.
10. **你是猪吗** (nǐ shì zhū ma) (strength 5/5): are you a pig?. Pig = dumb in chinese. This one hurts.

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