NounsHSK 5
Name-calling with 这个
To insult someone or call them a harsh name, insert 这个 between the person and the insult word. The most common pattern is "你 + 这个 + mean name," making the accusation more direct and emotional.
Beyond insults, "Subj. + 这个 + Category" can be used to highlight any defining trait of a subject—positive, negative, or neutral. It frames the noun as the key characteristic being commented on.
Structure
你 + 这个 + Noun (insult)
The go-to pattern for name-calling; the noun is a derogatory label.
Subj. + 这个 + Noun
General emphatic pattern to single out a trait of the subject.
Examples
- 你这个坏蛋，就没做过一件好事。Nǐ zhège huàidàn, jiù méi zuò guo yī jiàn hǎoshì.You're such a bad person! You haven't done a single good thing.
- 他这个马屁精，又去拍老板的马屁了。Tā zhège mǎpìjīng, yòu qù pāi lǎobǎn de mǎpì le.He's such a brown-noser. He's kissing up to the boss again.
- 上海这个城市，夏天太热，冬天太冷。Shànghǎi zhège chéngshì, xiàtiān tài rè, dōngtiān tài lěng.As for Shanghai, its summers are too hot and its winters are too cold.
- 你这个人，怎么能做出这样的事情？Nǐ zhège rén, zěnme néng zuò chū zhèyàng de shìqing?What kind of person are you? How could you do this?
- 他这个工作，还是很有挑战的。Tā zhège gōngzuò, háishì hěn yǒu tiǎozhàn de.This job of his still has a lot of challenges.