Vietnamese · Adjectives
xấu
Bad; ugly
Beginneradjective
Definition
Of poor quality, or not pleasing to look at.
Example
Đó là một ý tưởng xấu.
That was a bad idea.
Etymology
'Xấu' has roots in ancient Vietnamese, often linked to notions of ugliness or moral wrongness. The word has consistently communicated negative aesthetics or qualities.
How & Where It’s Used
'Xấu' features in both spoken and written Vietnamese, used informally in everyday conversation. There is little regional variation in its usage.
Literary Heritage
Appears in literature and fables, frequently in moral tales contrasting beauty and ugliness.