Scrub
Meaning: Someone who doesn't take care of their appearance and lacks ambition or style.
A scrub is someone who doesn't put effort into their appearance, career, or life in general. In fashion terms, a scrub wears sloppy, unkempt clothes and doesn't care about looking presentable. The term was massively popularized by TLC's 1999 hit 'No Scrubs' and carries connotations of being unattractive and unambitious.
Examples
- I'm not going out with him — he showed up in stained sweatpants like a total scrub. 我才不跟他出去呢——他穿着一条沾满污渍的运动裤来,简直太邋遢了。No pienso salir con él: se presentó con unos pantalones de chándal manchados, un auténtico desastre.あんな人とは出かけないわ——シミだらけのスウェットパンツで来るなんて完全にスクラブ。저런 사람이랑은 안 나가 — 얼룩 묻은 트레이닝복 입고 오다니 완전 스크럽이잖아.
- Don't be a scrub. At least put on a clean shirt before the date. 别当个邋遢鬼。约会之前至少换件干净的衬衫吧。No seas un desastre. Al menos ponte una camisa limpia antes de la cita.スクラブになるなよ。デートの前にせめてきれいなシャツくらい着ろ。스크럽 같은 짓 하지 마. 데이트 전에 최소한 깨끗한 셔츠라도 입어.
- She dumped him because he was a scrub who never dressed up or took her anywhere nice. 她甩了他,因为他就是个窝囊废,从来不好好打扮,也不带她去好地方。Ella lo dejó porque era un desastre que nunca se arreglaba ni la llevaba a ningún sitio bonito.彼女は彼を振った。おしゃれもしなければどこにも連れて行ってくれないスクラブだったから。그녀는 그를 차버렸다. 옷차림에도 신경 안 쓰고 좋은 데 데려가 준 적도 없는 스크럽이었으니까.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: dating, criticism, casual conversation
Tone: dismissive, critical
✓ Do Say
- Don't be a scrub.别当个邋遢鬼。No seas un desastre.スクラブになるなよ。스크럽같이 굴지 마.
- No scrubs allowed.邋遢鬼免进。Aquí no se admiten desastres.スクラブお断り。스크럽은 사절이야.
✗ Don't Say
- Calling someone a scrub to their face is an insult — it questions their effort and worth当面叫别人scrub是一种侮辱——它质疑了对方的努力和价值Llamar a alguien «scrub» a la cara es un insulto: cuestiona su esfuerzo y su valía面と向かってスクラブと呼ぶのは侮辱——その人の努力や価値を否定することになる상대방 앞에서 스크럽이라고 부르는 것은 모욕이다 — 그 사람의 노력과 가치를 부정하는 말이다
Origin & History
Popularized by TLC's 1999 hit 'No Scrubs,' which defined a scrub as a man who 'hangs out the passenger side of his best friend's ride, trying to holler at me.' The term predates the song but was cemented in American culture by it.
Cultural Context
Era: 1990s
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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