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How to say “WTF” in Chinese

From confused to losing it

The mildest way to say “WTF” in Chinese is 怎么回事 (zěn me huí shì), “what's going on?”. The strongest is 搞什么飞机 (gǎo shén me fēi jī), “WTF are you doing (lit. what plane are you making)”. Here are all 5, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.

  1. 怎么回事

    zěn me huí shì

    what's going on?

    Calm, just confused

    Heard in real Chinese videos

  2. 什么鬼

    shén me guǐ

    what the heck (lit. what ghost)

    Something weird just happened

    Heard in real Chinese videos

  3. 什么玩意

    shén me wán yì

    what even is this (lit. what toy)

    For food, outfits or people

  4. 搞什么

    gǎo shén me

    what are you doing?!

    Annoyed now

  5. 搞什么飞机

    gǎo shén me fēi jī

    WTF are you doing (lit. what plane are you making)

    The funniest way to say it

Quick answers

How do you say “WTF” in Chinese?
The mildest way to say “WTF” in Chinese is 怎么回事 (zěn me huí shì), “what's going on?”. The strongest is 搞什么飞机 (gǎo shén me fēi jī), “WTF are you doing (lit. what plane are you making)”. Here are all 5, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.
What is the mildest way to say “WTF” in Chinese?
怎么回事 (zěn me huí shì): what's going on?. Calm, just confused.
What is the strongest way to say “WTF” in Chinese?
搞什么飞机 (gǎo shén me fēi jī): WTF are you doing (lit. what plane are you making). The funniest way to say it.

More ways to say it in Chinese

All 47 phrases: feelings, everyday, love and dating, compliments, money, slang, insults, swear words.