chǒu
adjective HSK 5 #2,675

Meanings

  1. 1 ugly
  2. 2 shameful
  3. 3 hideous

Examples

Tā juéde zìjǐ zhǎng de hěn chǒu.
He thinks he looks very ugly.
Zhè jiàn yīfu zhēn chǒu.
This piece of clothing is really ugly.
Bié zuò diūrén chǒu shì.
Don't do anything shameful.

Tips

history
The traditional character is much more complex than the simplified . In classical Chinese, originally referred to the second Earthly Branch (used in the traditional calendar), not ugliness.
usage
can describe appearance (ugly) or behavior (shameful/disgraceful). 出丑 (chūchǒu) means 'to make a fool of oneself.'

In Pop Culture

Chǒu Xiǎo Yā
The Ugly Duckling
Andersen fairy tale; metaphor for ugly-to-beautiful transformation

Stroke Order

chǒu