Rubbish
Meaning: Bad, worthless, nonsense (British)
As adjective/exclamation: something is bad, false, or worthless. Can dismiss ideas, quality, or performance. Very British usage beyond literal garbage.
Examples
- That film was rubbish. 那部电影太烂了。Esa película era una basura.あの映画ひどかった。그 영화 완전 별로였어.
- Rubbish! That's not true at all. 胡说!那根本不是真的。¡Tonterías! Eso no es verdad para nada.でたらめだ!全然本当じゃない。말도 안 돼! 전혀 사실이 아니야.
- I'm rubbish at cooking. 我做饭很烂。Soy malísimo cocinando.料理が超下手なんだ。나 요리 완전 못해.
- Don't talk rubbish.别胡说八道。No digas tonterías.でたらめ言わないで。헛소리 하지 마.
Pronunciation
/ˈrʌbɪʃ/
Usage Guide
Context: quality, truth, ability
Tone: dismissive, critical
✓ Do Say
- That's rubbish.太烂了。Es basura.ひどいね。그건 형편없어.
- Rubbish!胡说!¡Tonterías!でたらめだ!말도 안 돼!
- I'm rubbish at this.我这个很烂。Soy malísimo en esto.これ超下手。나 이거 완전 못해.
✗ Don't Say
- Very British usage非常英式用法Uso muy británicoとてもイギリス的な用法매우 영국적인 표현
- Americans say 'garbage' but not as adjective美国人说'garbage'但不作形容词用Los americanos dicen 'garbage' pero no como adjetivoアメリカ人は'garbage'と言うが形容詞として使わない미국인들은 'garbage'라고 하지만 형용사로는 안 씀
Common Mistakes
- British use as adjective; Americans don't
- Can describe quality, claims, or ability
Origin & History
From literal rubbish (garbage/trash), extended in British English to mean anything worthless, false, or of poor quality. Used as adjective and exclamation.
Etymology: From rubbish (waste) extended to worthless/false
First recorded: Figurative usage common from 20th century
Cultural Context
Era: 20th century figurative use
Generation: All ages in UK
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Common British dismissal; Heard constantly in British media
Regional notes: British, Australian, Irish. Americans use 'trash' or 'garbage' but not as adjective.
Variations
Related Phrases
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