TongTong
Sign in

他妈的 (tā mā de) — vulg. Damn it! Fuck! Shit!

Definition

A very vulgar curse expressing anger, frustration, or strong emphasis — like 'damn it / fucking [hell]'. Always offensive; do not use in formal or polite contexts.

verb
vulg. Damn it! Fuck! Shit!

Examples

  • 他妈的！。
    tā mā de! Wǒ yòu wàng le dài yào shi.
    Damn it! I forgot my keys again.
  • 他妈的？
    Nǐ tā mā de zài gàn shén me?
    What the fuck are you doing?
  • 他妈的，！
    tā mā de De, bié pèng wǒ!
    Fucking don't touch me!

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rénman
Sound part声符shēngfú
也
也yě他tā
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

他 combines 亻 (a person) with 也, which was chosen for its sound.

Open 他 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 媽; 妈 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
女女nǚ
Sound part声符shēngfú
馬
馬mǎ媽mā
Same sound today

The traditional form 媽 pairs 女 (woman) with 馬, which gives the sound. The simplified 妈 is a later shorthand.

Open 妈 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
白白báiwhite
Sound part声符shēngfú
勺
勺sháo的de
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

的 pairs 白, related to white or brightness, with 勺, which gives a clue to the sound. Its older form 旳 meant bright.

Open 的 →
Appears in
500 Most Frequent Chinese Words1000 Most Frequent Chinese Words2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.