Significado
Used to express dislike for looks or quality.
Contexto cultural
In nomadic culture, 'muukhai' was often associated with things that were broken or unusable. A 'muukhai' saddle or cart was a danger to the family. The phrase is frequently used to describe 'Utaat' (the winter smog). It reflects the residents' frustration with pollution. Parents use 'Muukhai!' as a one-word command to stop children from doing something gross or rude, like picking their nose or hitting a sibling. It is a major taboo to use this phrase regarding a gift. Even if the gift is objectively 'muukhai,' one must say 'Сайхан бэлэг байна' (It's a beautiful gift).
The 'Yuck' Rule
If you would say 'Yuck' or 'Ew' in English, 'Муухай байна' is usually the right Mongolian choice.
Face Matters
Be careful using this with elders. It can sound too aggressive or disrespectful if used to disagree with them.
Significado
Used to express dislike for looks or quality.
The 'Yuck' Rule
If you would say 'Yuck' or 'Ew' in English, 'Муухай байна' is usually the right Mongolian choice.
Face Matters
Be careful using this with elders. It can sound too aggressive or disrespectful if used to disagree with them.
Add 'Шүү'
Adding 'шүү' (shuu) at the end makes your opinion sound more like a friendly observation than a harsh judgment.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence to say 'This food is bad.'
Энэ хоол _______ байна.
'Муухай' is used to describe bad taste or quality in food.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
You see a very dusty, windy day in Ulaanbaatar.
Dusty and windy weather is described as 'muukhai' (ugly/bad).
Which of these is the most polite way to say 'Your behavior is mean'?
Select the best option:
Adding 'зан' (character/behavior) makes it clear you are critiquing the action, not the person's face.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Энэ зураг ямар байна? B: _________ . Өөр зураг үзүүлээч.
The second sentence 'Show me another picture' implies the speaker didn't like the first one.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to say 'Муухай байна'
Visuals
- • Ugly clothes
- • Messy room
- • Bad art
Senses
- • Sour milk
- • Bad smell
- • Loud noise
Social
- • Being rude
- • Lying
- • Mean jokes
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosЭнэ хоол _______ байна.
'Муухай' is used to describe bad taste or quality in food.
You see a very dusty, windy day in Ulaanbaatar.
Dusty and windy weather is described as 'muukhai' (ugly/bad).
Select the best option:
Adding 'зан' (character/behavior) makes it clear you are critiquing the action, not the person's face.
A: Энэ зураг ямар байна? B: _________ . Өөр зураг үзүүлээч.
The second sentence 'Show me another picture' implies the speaker didn't like the first one.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasOnly if you want to be very mean. It's like calling someone 'ugly' to their face. Use 'muu zantai' for 'mean'.
Yes, if the food is bad, but it's more polite to say 'Amttai bish baina' (It's not tasty).
The opposite is 'saikhan' (beautiful/good) or 'goy' (nice/cool).
No, 'muu' means evil. 'Muukhai' is more about the unpleasant feeling or look of something.
Yes, if the movie was unpleasant or poorly made, you can say 'Muukhai kino baina'.
You can say 'Gaigui baina' (It's okay/not bad).
Rarely. In formal writing, words like 'tohkhiromjgui' (inappropriate) are preferred.
Yes, 'Muukhai unertei baina' is the standard way to say something smells bad.
No, it is a standard, very common adjective.
Add 'mash' before it: 'Mash muukhai baina'.
Frases relacionadas
Сайхан байна
contrastIt is beautiful/good.
Заваан байна
similarIt is dirty/gross.
Муу байна
similarIt is bad.
Ямар муухай юм бэ!
specialized formHow ugly/awful!
