420
Meaning: A code term for cannabis culture — referring to marijuana consumption, cannabis-friendly attitudes, or the April 20th celebration.
420 (pronounced 'four-twenty') is the universal code for cannabis in American culture. '420-friendly' means someone is cool with marijuana. April 20th (4/20) is an unofficial cannabis holiday. 4:20 PM is 'the time' to smoke. Since California was a pioneer in marijuana legalization, 420 culture is deeply woven into the state's identity.
Examples
- The apartment listing says 420-friendly — they're cool with smoking. 房源信息上写着420-friendly——意思是可以抽。El anuncio del piso dice 420-friendly — no les importa que se fume.物件情報に420フレンドリーって書いてある——喫煙OK ということだ。집 매물에 420 프렌들리라고 적혀 있어——흡연 OK라는 뜻이야.
- We're having a huge 420 party on April 20th. 我们4月20日要办一个盛大的420派对。Vamos a hacer una gran fiesta 420 el 20 de abril.4月20日に大きな420パーティーやるよ。4월 20일에 큰 420 파티를 열 거야.
- It's 4:20 — you know what time it is. 4点20了——你知道这意味着什么。Son las 4:20 — ya sabes qué hora es.4時20分だ——何の時間か分かるよね。4시 20분이야——무슨 시간인지 알지.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: cannabis culture, dating profiles, events
Tone: knowing, casual
✓ Do Say
- Is this place 420-friendly?这地方420-friendly吗?¿Este sitio es 420-friendly?ここは420フレンドリー?여기 420 프렌들리야?
- Happy 420 to those who celebrate.祝庆祝的人420快乐。Feliz 420 a quienes lo celebren.お祝いする人にはハッピー420。해당되는 분들 해피 420.
✗ Don't Say
- While 420 is widely understood, using it in professional settings is still inappropriate虽然420被广泛理解,但在专业场合使用仍然不合适Aunque 420 se entiende ampliamente, usarlo en entornos profesionales sigue siendo inapropiado420は広く理解されているが、ビジネスの場で使うのはやはり不適切420은 널리 알려져 있지만 업무 환경에서 사용하는 것은 여전히 부적절하다
Origin & History
Originated in 1971 with a group of San Rafael, California high school students called 'the Waldos' who used '4:20' as a code for their after-school cannabis sessions. The term spread through Grateful Dead concert culture and eventually worldwide.
Cultural Context
Era: 1971
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: San Rafael, California origin — now global
More From This Topic
More from Regional: California
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