脏

• Pinyin: zāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 脏 = 月 (flesh/body radical) + 庄 (phonetic component)

Meaning

Dirty; filthy. Describes something that is not clean.

The most common word for 'dirty' in Chinese. Can describe physical dirtiness (脏衣服 dirty clothes, 脏水 dirty water) or metaphorical dirtiness (说脏话 say dirty words / swear). The opposite is 干净 (clean). Very frequently used in daily life.

Examples

1. 你的手太脏了，快去洗一下。 Your hands are too dirty — go wash them right away.
2. 地上很脏，不要坐在那里。 The floor is really dirty — don't sit there.
3. 这条河的水很脏，不能游泳。 The water in this river is very dirty — you can't swim in it.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, hygiene

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 这件衣服脏了，要洗一洗。(This piece of clothing is dirty — it needs washing.)
• 别说脏话！(Don't use bad language!)

Don't Say

• 这个人很脏。(Be careful saying someone 'is dirty' — it can imply moral dirtiness. For physical dirtiness, specify the body part: 他的手很脏.)

Origin & History

Originally written as 髒 with the bone radical. The simplified form uses 庄 as phonetic component next to the flesh radical. Note: 脏 also reads zàng meaning 'organ' (as in 心脏 heart), but as 'dirty' it is zāng.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal