Bedeutung
Very unattractive.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The use of 'ma' (ghost) in idioms is very common. Ghosts are seen as the opposite of the 'ideal' human form, which is why they represent ugliness or bad luck. Teachers and parents often use 'chữ xấu như ma' to motivate children to practice calligraphy, which is highly valued in Vietnamese culture. Younger generations might use 'xấu như ma' ironically or in self-deprecating TikTok videos about 'glow-ups' (transformations from ugly to beautiful). There is a specific type of ghost called 'Ma Lem' (Sooty Ghost). Sometimes people say 'Xấu như ma lem' to mean someone who is both ugly and dirty.
Avoid Direct Insults
Never use this to describe a stranger or someone you want to stay on good terms with. It is very blunt.
Use for Objects
It's much safer and very natural to use this for inanimate objects like bad drawings, messy rooms, or ugly clothes.
Bedeutung
Very unattractive.
Avoid Direct Insults
Never use this to describe a stranger or someone you want to stay on good terms with. It is very blunt.
Use for Objects
It's much safer and very natural to use this for inanimate objects like bad drawings, messy rooms, or ugly clothes.
The 'Ma' Connection
Remember that 'ma' is a common theme in Vietnamese idioms; learning this helps you understand the cultural role of ghosts.
Self-Deprecation
Using this about yourself ('Tớ xấu như ma') makes you sound very fluent and humble in a funny way.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.
Bức tranh này cậu vẽ ____ như ____ vậy!
The context of 'vậy!' often implies a strong informal observation, and 'xấu như ma' fits the 'ugly' comparison.
In which situation is it appropriate to use 'Xấu như ma'?
Select the best context:
'Xấu như ma' is very informal and potentially rude; it should only be used with close friends.
Match the Vietnamese phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all common 'như' comparisons in Vietnamese.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
A: 'Cái bánh này tớ làm bị hỏng rồi.' - B: 'Nhìn nó ____, chắc không ai dám ăn đâu!'
If the cake is 'hỏng' (ruined), it likely looks 'xấu như ma'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ugliness Levels
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenBức tranh này cậu vẽ ____ như ____ vậy!
The context of 'vậy!' often implies a strong informal observation, and 'xấu như ma' fits the 'ugly' comparison.
Select the best context:
'Xấu như ma' is very informal and potentially rude; it should only be used with close friends.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are all common 'như' comparisons in Vietnamese.
A: 'Cái bánh này tớ làm bị hỏng rồi.' - B: 'Nhìn nó ____, chắc không ai dám ăn đâu!'
If the cake is 'hỏng' (ruined), it likely looks 'xấu như ma'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's not a swear word, but it is a very strong and informal insult.
Yes, it is gender-neutral. You can use it for anyone or anything.
You can say 'không được đẹp lắm' (not very beautiful) or 'ngoại hình bình thường' (average appearance).
In this context, yes. In other contexts, it can be part of words like 'ma túy' (drugs) or 'ma lanh' (clever).
They are almost the same. 'Quỷ' (devil) might sound slightly more playful or slightly more aggressive depending on the tone.
Absolutely not. It is far too informal and would be considered unprofessional.
Vietnamese culture has many animal comparisons (like 'ngu như bò' - stupid as a cow), but for ugliness, the ghost is the ultimate standard.
Yes, it is used throughout Vietnam, though Southerners might use 'xấu hoắc' more often.
Usually, we use 'dở' for a bad movie, but if you mean the visuals/CGI are ugly, you can say 'kỹ xảo xấu như ma'.
It has a rising tone. Imagine you are asking a question with the word 'sow' in English.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Xấu như quỷ
synonymUgly as a devil
Đẹp như tiên
contrastBeautiful as a fairy
Xấu như ma chê quỷ hờn
specialized formSo ugly ghosts and devils hate it
Hiền như bụt
similarKind as a Buddha
Chữ như gà bới
similarHandwriting like a chicken scratching
