How do you use "Cretin" in a sentence?

You absolute cretin. What a cretin. Don't be such a cretin.

Cretin

Q: What does "Cretin" mean?

An insult meaning stupid person; originally medical term. 'Cretin' is an insult for a stupid person. Originally medical term for congenital iodine deficiency causing intellectual disability. The word comes from Swiss French meaning 'Christian' (emphasizing the person's humanity). Now just an insult.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: An insult meaning stupid person; originally medical term.

意为蠢人的侮辱语；原为医学术语。

Un insulto que significa persona estúpida; originalmente un término médico.

「バカ」を意味する侮辱語。もともとは医学用語。

'바보'를 뜻하는 모욕어. 원래는 의학 용어.

'Cretin' is an insult for a stupid person. Originally medical term for congenital iodine deficiency causing intellectual disability. The word comes from Swiss French meaning 'Christian' (emphasizing the person's humanity). Now just an insult.

'Cretin'是对愚蠢之人的侮辱。原本是指先天性碘缺乏导致智力障碍的医学术语。这个词源自瑞士法语，意为'基督徒'（强调此人的人性）。现在只是一个侮辱语。

'Cretin' es un insulto para una persona estúpida. Originalmente era un término médico para la deficiencia congénita de yodo que causaba discapacidad intelectual. La palabra proviene del francés suizo y significa 'cristiano' (enfatizando la humanidad de la persona). Ahora es solo un insulto.

「Cretin」はバカな人に対する侮辱語です。もともとは先天性ヨウ素欠乏症による知的障害を指す医学用語でした。スイスフランス語の「Christian（キリスト教徒）」に由来し、その人の人間性を強調する意味がありました。現在は単なる侮辱語として使われています。

'Cretin'은 바보를 뜻하는 모욕어다. 원래는 선천성 요오드 결핍으로 인한 지적 장애를 가리키는 의학 용어였다. 스위스 프랑스어로 '기독교인'이라는 뜻에서 유래했다(그 사람의 인간성을 강조). 지금은 단순한 모욕어로 사용된다.

Examples

You absolute cretin.
你这个大白痴
Eres un completo cretino
この大バカ者が
이 대바보 같으니.
What a cretin.
真是个蠢货
Vaya cretino
なんてバカなんだ
정말 바보 같은 놈.
Don't be such a cretin.
别这么蠢
No seas tan cretino
そんなバカなことするな
그렇게 바보 같이 굴지 마.

Pronunciation

/ˈkriːtɪn/

Usage Guide

Context: insult

Tone: contemptuous

✓ Do Say

Strong insult
很强的侮辱语
Insulto fuerte
強い侮辱語
강한 모욕어

✗ Don't Say

Originally ableist medical term
原本是歧视残疾人的医学术语
Originalmente un término médico capacitista
もともとは障害者差別的な医学用語
원래 장애인 비하 의학 용어

Common Mistakes

Medical origin—some consider ableist

Origin & History

From Swiss French 'crétin' meaning Christian—a reminder that even disabled people were human. Originally medical term for iodine deficiency causing intellectual impairment. Now archaic medically but common as insult.

Etymology: Swiss French crétin (Christian)

First recorded: 18th century medical, insult later

Cultural Context

Era: 18th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common in British media

Regional notes: Universal but more British.

Variations

CretinCretinous