How do you use "Halfwit" in a sentence?

You halfwit! That halfwit forgot again. Don't be such a halfwit.

Halfwit

Q: What does "Halfwit" mean?

A stupid person; someone with half the usual intelligence. 'Halfwit' literally suggests someone with only half the normal wit/intelligence. A direct way of calling someone stupid. More forceful than 'dim' but less crude than profanity.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: A stupid person; someone with half the usual intelligence.

蠢人；只有正常智力一半的人。

Una persona estúpida; alguien con la mitad de la inteligencia habitual.

バカな人。通常の半分の知能しかない人。

바보, 얼간이

'Halfwit' literally suggests someone with only half the normal wit/intelligence. A direct way of calling someone stupid. More forceful than 'dim' but less crude than profanity.

'Halfwit'字面意思是只有正常智慧/智力一半的人。是一种直接骂人蠢的方式。比'dim'更有力，但不如脏话那么粗俗。

'Halfwit' sugiere literalmente que alguien tiene solo la mitad de la inteligencia normal. Una forma directa de llamar a alguien estúpido. Más contundente que 'dim' pero menos grosero que las palabrotas.

「Halfwit」は文字通り通常の知性・機転の半分しかないことを示唆します。誰かをバカと言う直接的な表現です。「dim」より強いですが、下品な言葉ほど粗野ではありません。

기대되는 지능의 절반밖에 없는 사람이라는 뜻. 구식이지만 여전히 사용되는 욕설이다.

Examples

You halfwit!
你这个笨蛋！
¡Medio tonto!
この半人前！
이 반푼어치!
That halfwit forgot again.
那个笨蛋又忘了
Ese imbécil se olvidó otra vez
あの間抜けがまた忘れた
저 얼간이가 또 깜빡했어.
Don't be such a halfwit.
别那么笨
No seas tan imbécil
そんな間抜けなことするな
그렇게 멍청하게 굴지 마.

Pronunciation

/ˈhɑːfwɪt/

Usage Guide

Context: insult

Tone: contemptuous

✓ Do Say

Direct insult about intelligence
直接针对智力的侮辱
Insulto directo sobre la inteligencia
知能に対する直接的な侮辱
지능에 대한 직접적인 모욕

✗ Don't Say

Originally ableist connotation
原本带有歧视残疾人的含义
Originalmente con connotación capacitista
もともとは障害者差別的な意味合いがある
원래는 장애인 차별적 의미가 있다

Common Mistakes

Clear meaning—no ambiguity

Origin & History

Compound of 'half' + 'wit' (intelligence). The implication is the person has only half the normal amount of intelligence. Used since at least 18th century.

Etymology: Half + wit (intelligence)

First recorded: 18th century

Cultural Context

Era: 18th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common in literature

Regional notes: Universal English.

Variations

HalfwitHalf-witted