丑陋

• Pinyin: chǒu lòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 丑 = pictograph of ugliness; 陋 = 阝 (hill) + 㔾 (phonetic) = crude/ugly

Meaning

Ugly; unsightly; hideous (primarily physical appearance).

Describes physical unattractiveness more strongly than 难看. Can also describe buildings, environments, or abstract things like behavior when emphasizing their repulsive nature.

Examples

1. 外表丑陋并不代表内心不美。 An ugly appearance doesn't mean an ugly heart.
2. 这栋建筑设计得太丑陋了，破坏了整条街的美感。 This building is designed so hideously that it ruins the aesthetic of the whole street.
3. 不要用丑陋的言语伤害别人。 Don't hurt others with ugly words.

Usage Guide

Context: appearance, criticism, description

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 小鸭子长大后，丑陋的外表变成了美丽的天鹅。(When the ugly duckling grew up, its unsightly appearance transformed into a beautiful swan.)
• 城市里有些丑陋的建筑应该被拆除。(Some ugly buildings in the city should be demolished.)

Don't Say

• 你长得丑陋 (Very offensive when said directly to someone — use softer expressions or avoid commenting on appearance)

Origin & History

Compound of 丑 (ugly) and 陋 (ugly/humble/crude). Doubling of negative aesthetics intensifies the meaning.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal