REAL INTERNET CHINESE
mother's
damn it, the standard moderate curse for frustration or emphasis
- Who can you say it to?
- Close friends only Carries a swear or an insult. Only with people who would swear back.
- Out loud, or only typed?
- Say it or type it Works out loud and in chat.
- Is it still used?
- Settled in Past the fad stage, part of everyday speech.
When to say it
Say it stubbing your toe on a chair or when the elevator breaks on a Monday. Reflexive venting among peers, everyone says it, nobody says it in a meeting. Pre-internet and going strong.
Hear it in the wild
Māde, yòu wàng dài yàoshi le.
Damn it, forgot my keys again.
Māde, zhè pò diànnǎo yòu kǎ le.
Damn, this junk computer froze again.
Quick answers
What does 妈的 mean?
damn it, the standard moderate curse for frustration or emphasis
When do people say 妈的?
Say it stubbing your toe on a chair or when the elevator breaks on a Monday. Reflexive venting among peers, everyone says it, nobody says it in a meeting. Pre-internet and going strong.
When should you not say 妈的?
A real curse naming someone's mother. Fine muttered to yourself or among close friends; aim it at a person and it is an insult, say it at work and it is unprofessional.
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