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B2 verb 10 min read

扫兴

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 扫兴 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 扫兴 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 扫兴 (sǎoxìng) as a way to say 'not fun anymore' or 'feeling sad because the fun stopped.' It is a word you use when you were happy, but then something bad happened to stop the happiness. For example, if you are playing a game with friends and your mom says 'Stop playing and do homework,' you feel sǎoxìng. The word '扫' (sǎo) is like a broom sweeping the floor. Here, it is sweeping away your '兴' (xìng), which means your 'fun' or 'interest.' You can simply say '太扫兴了!' (Too sǎoxìng!) when you are disappointed. It is a very useful word to show your feelings when a party ends or when it starts to rain during a trip. Remember, you only use this word when you were having a good time first. If you are already sad or bored, you don't use this word. It's specifically for when the 'fun' is taken away.

For A2 learners, 扫兴 (sǎoxìng) is an important emotional adjective. It describes the feeling of being a 'spoilsport' or having your 'spirits dampened.' You will often see it in the pattern '真扫兴' (really sǎoxìng) or '别扫兴' (don't be sǎoxìng). In A2, you start to learn that Chinese words can be made of two parts that tell a story. '扫' is to sweep, and '兴' is interest. So, 'sweeping interest' is a great way to remember it. You can use it to describe people or things. If a friend is always complaining during a movie, that friend is '扫兴.' If the electricity goes out while you are watching a game, that situation is '扫兴.' It's different from just being 'sad' because it's about a specific event ruining a good time. It's a very social word, used often among friends and family to comment on the 'vibe' of a situation.

At the B1 level, you should begin using 扫兴 (sǎoxìng) as a separable verb. This means you can put words in the middle, like '扫了他的兴' (ruined his fun). This level requires you to understand that '扫兴' is not just an adjective but an action one person can do to another. You might use it to apologize: '我不想扫大家的兴，但我得早点回家' (I don't want to ruin everyone's fun, but I have to go home early). You should also distinguish it from '失望' (shīwàng - disappointed). While 'shīwàng' is about failing to meet a goal or expectation, 'sǎoxìng' is purely about the atmosphere and enjoyment. B1 learners should also be aware of common collocations like '扫兴的话' (mood-killing words). It's a key word for navigating social etiquette in China, as being '扫兴' is often seen as a lack of social awareness.

At the B2 level, 扫兴 (sǎoxìng) is used to discuss more complex social and psychological scenarios. You should be able to use it to describe the 'buzzkill' effect in professional or nuanced social settings. For instance, you might discuss how a '扫兴' comment can change the direction of a creative meeting. You should also be familiar with related idioms like '大煞风景' (dàshā fēngjǐng), which is a more sophisticated way to describe something that ruins a beautiful atmosphere. B2 learners should understand the cultural weight of 'Xing' (兴) in Chinese aesthetics—the idea of spontaneous joy—and how 'sǎoxìng' represents a disruption of that flow. You can use it in writing to describe the turning point of a story where a happy scene suddenly turns sour due to an untimely interruption. It’s also important to recognize its use in modern social media to describe 'mood-killing' parents or partners.

For C1 learners, 扫兴 (sǎoxìng) should be understood within the broader context of Chinese emotional vocabulary and literary history. You might explore how the term appears in classical literature to describe the frustration of poets when their inspiration is interrupted. You should be able to use it with high precision, distinguishing it from '败兴' (bàixìng), which often implies a more complete or final ending to the fun, as seen in the phrase '败兴而归.' C1 students should also be able to analyze the social implications of being a '扫兴的人' in a collectivist society, where maintaining the group's 're nao' (liveliness) is a significant social responsibility. You can use '扫兴' in sophisticated arguments about social media culture, such as the 'sǎoxìng' behavior of internet trolls who ruin the enjoyment of online communities. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's ability to describe both a fleeting moment and a consistent personality trait.

At the C2 level, you master 扫兴 (sǎoxìng) as a tool for subtle social commentary and literary expression. You can use it to critique societal norms—for example, how certain rigid traditions might '扫兴' for the younger generation's pursuit of individual happiness. You should be comfortable using the term in academic or high-level journalistic contexts to describe the dampening of economic enthusiasm or the 'cooling' of public interest in a political movement. You understand the deep etymological roots of '兴' as one of the three primary techniques in the 'Book of Songs' (Shi Jing), and how '扫兴' metaphorically acts as a violent clearing of that poetic resonance. Your use of the word is no longer just about a party; it’s about the philosophical concept of 'Qi' and 'Xing' being disrupted. You can weave it into complex narratives or use it to describe the 'anti-climax' in a film or novel with expert precision.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

扫兴 in 30 Seconds

Literally 'sweeping away the fun,' it describes a buzzkill situation.
Used as an adjective (disappointing) or a separable verb (to ruin fun).
Essential for social interactions and describing atmosphere dampening.
Commonly paired with '真' (really), '太' (too), or '别' (don't).

The Chinese term 扫兴 (sǎoxìng) is a powerful and evocative expression used to describe the sudden dampening of enthusiasm or the spoiling of a good mood. At its core, the word is composed of two characters: 扫 (sǎo), meaning 'to sweep' or 'to clear away,' and 兴 (xìng), which refers to interest, excitement, or high spirits. When combined, they literally describe the act of 'sweeping away the fun.' This isn't just a mild disappointment; it's the specific feeling that occurs when an external factor—be it a person's comment, a change in weather, or an unexpected rule—intervenes to kill the vibe of a social gathering or a personal moment of joy.

Social Context: In Chinese social dynamics, being labeled as someone who is '扫兴' (a spoilsport or buzzkill) is quite a negative trait. It implies a lack of emotional intelligence or 'EQ,' as the person fails to read the room and says something that brings everyone down.
Emotional Nuance: Unlike general sadness, '扫兴' requires a prior state of '兴' (excitement). You cannot be '扫兴' if you weren't having fun to begin with. It is the transition from high energy to a deflated state.

我们正聊得开心，他突然提到了工作，真是太扫兴了。
— We were chatting happily when he suddenly mentioned work; it was such a buzzkill.

The concept of 'Xing' (兴) is deeply rooted in Chinese aesthetics and literature, often referring to the spontaneous inspiration one feels when moved by the environment. Therefore, to 'sǎo' (sweep) this 'Xing' is to disrupt a natural flow of positive energy. You will hear this word in casual conversations between friends when a plan is canceled, in romantic settings when an awkward topic is brought up, or even in professional settings when a leader dampens the team's creative spirit with rigid bureaucracy.

这场雨下得真扫兴，我们的野餐计划泡汤了。
— This rain is such a disappointment; our picnic plans are ruined.

Furthermore, '扫兴' can be used as a verb phrase '扫了大家的兴' (swept away everyone's interest). This structure emphasizes the impact of an action on a group. In modern digital culture, it's often used in comments on social media when a video ends abruptly or when a spoiler is given. It captures that collective 'aww' or 'sigh' when the magic of a moment is broken by reality or poor timing.

Psychological Impact: Being '扫兴' is often perceived as a lack of empathy. If someone is sharing a joyful experience and you respond with a cold fact that ruins the mood, you are being '扫兴'. This word helps learners navigate the complexities of Chinese politeness and emotional synchronization.

Using 扫兴 (sǎoxìng) correctly requires understanding its role as both an adjective (to be disappointing/mood-killing) and a verb (to ruin someone's mood). It is most commonly found in the 'Subject + (Adverb) + 扫兴' or 'A 扫了 B 的兴' patterns. Let's explore the grammatical flexibility of this term to ensure you can use it naturally in various contexts.

As an Adjective: When used as an adjective, it describes a situation or a person. For example, '这件事真扫兴' (This thing is really disappointing). Here, it functions like 'disappointing' or 'unpleasant' because it ruined a good time.
As a Separable Verb: The verb form often takes an object in the middle: '扫...兴'. For instance, '扫了他的兴' (ruined his mood). This is the most authentic way to describe an action that caused the disappointment.

别在那儿说这种扫兴的话了，大家都在过节呢。
— Stop saying such mood-killing things; everyone is celebrating the holiday.

In terms of intensity, you can add adverbs like '太' (too), '真' (really), or '特别' (especially). A very common colloquial expression is '太扫兴了!', which you might shout when a movie ends on a cliffhanger or when a party is shut down early by the police or neighbors. It carries a sense of frustration and missed opportunity.

我不想扫你的兴，但我真的得走了。
— I don't want to ruin your fun, but I really have to go.

Another advanced usage involves the word '败兴' (bàixìng), which is a synonym but often used in the phrase '败兴而归' (to return home in low spirits after a disappointment). However, '扫兴' remains the more versatile and frequently used term in daily speech. Whether you are complaining about a bad referee in a soccer match or a friend who keeps checking their phone during dinner, '扫兴' is your go-to word.

Common Collocations: 扫兴的话 (mood-killing words), 扫兴的事 (disappointing events), 扫兴的人 (a spoilsport). These noun phrases are frequently used to categorize things that disrupt harmony.

Understanding the environment where 扫兴 (sǎoxìng) thrives is key to mastering it. This is a word of the 'moment.' It's spoken in the heat of a social interaction or in the immediate aftermath of a failed plan. You will hear it in variety shows, dramas, and real-life social gatherings where the atmosphere is central to the experience.

In Entertainment & Media: On Chinese reality TV shows (like 'Keep Running' or 'Sister Who Makes Waves'), if a guest fails a challenge or brings up a sad topic during a celebration, the subtitles might flash '扫兴!' or other guests might tease them for being '扫兴鬼' (a little mood-killer).
In Nightlife & Dining: Imagine a group of friends at KTV (Karaoke). Everyone is singing high-energy songs. If someone suddenly picks a very slow, depressing song that makes everyone stop dancing, someone might say, '你这也太扫兴了吧!' (You are being such a buzzkill!).

本来想去海边玩，结果车坏了，真扫兴。
— I wanted to go to the beach, but the car broke down; what a disappointment.

You will also hear it in the context of 'parenting' and 'family.' In Chinese culture, there is a common trope of parents being '扫兴.' For example, if a child shows a parent a high test score and the parent immediately says, 'Don't get cocky, the next test will be harder,' the child might feel '扫兴.' This specific cultural dynamic—where pragmatism kills joy—is a frequent topic of discussion on platforms like Xiaohongshu and Weibo.

别在大家高兴的时候说这些扫兴的话。
— Don't say these mood-killing things when everyone is happy.

Lastly, it's used in weather reports or event planning. If a long-awaited outdoor concert is canceled due to a storm, the organizers might apologize for the '扫兴' (disappointment) caused. It's a way to acknowledge that the 'Xing' (excitement) of the audience was built up and then unfortunately 'swept' away.

Professional Settings: Even in business, if a meeting is going well and someone brings up a minor, negative detail that halts progress, a colleague might think (though perhaps not say aloud) that the person is being '扫兴'.

While 扫兴 (sǎoxìng) is a common word, learners often confuse it with other terms for disappointment or sadness. To sound like a native speaker, you must understand the specific 'flavor' of 扫兴. It is not a synonym for general depression or failure; it is specifically about the interruption of joy.

扫兴 vs. 失望 (shīwàng): '失望' means 'disappointed' in the sense that expectations were not met (e.g., a low grade). '扫兴' is about the mood. You can be '失望' about a person's character, but you are '扫兴' when a movie night is ruined. '失望' is deeper and more personal; '扫兴' is more about the atmosphere.
扫兴 vs. 难过 (nánguò): '难过' is emotional pain or sadness. If your dog dies, you are '难过', not '扫兴'. Saying '扫兴' in such a serious situation would sound incredibly callous, as if you only care that the event ruined your fun.

错误用法：他考试没考好，觉得很扫兴。(Incorrect: He felt 'sǎoxìng' because he failed the exam.)
— Correction: He should feel '失望' (disappointed) or '沮丧' (frustrated).

Another mistake is using '扫兴' for things that are merely 'boring.' If a lecture is boring from the start, it's '没劲' (méijìn) or '无聊' (wúliáo). It's only '扫兴' if the lecture started off exciting and then something happened to ruin it. The 'sweep' action requires something to be there to be swept away!

别让这点小事扫了大家的兴。
— Don't let this little thing ruin everyone's fun.

Finally, watch the register. While '扫兴' is common, using it in a very formal legal document might be slightly out of place unless referring to the disruption of a public event. It is primarily a word of social interaction and emotional expression. Avoid using it to describe technical failures unless those failures directly impacted a 'fun' event.

Summary of Misuse: 1. Using it for serious tragedies. 2. Using it for things that were boring from the start. 3. Forgetting the separable verb structure '扫...兴'.

To truly master the nuances of 'mood ruining' in Chinese, it's helpful to look at synonyms and alternatives to 扫兴 (sǎoxìng). Depending on the intensity and the context, you might choose a different word to express your frustration or disappointment.

败兴 (bàixìng): '败' means defeat or spoil. '败兴' is very close to '扫兴' but feels slightly more formal or literary. It's often used in the idiom '败兴而归' (to return in low spirits). If '扫兴' is the action, '败兴' is often the resulting state.
没趣 (méiqù): This means 'uninteresting' or 'awkward.' If you tell a joke and no one laughs, you might feel '没趣'. It's less about a 'fun event' being ruined and more about a specific interaction being dull or socially awkward.
大煞风景 (dàshā fēngjǐng): This is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that literally means 'to greatly kill the scenery.' It's used when something ugly or inappropriate ruins a beautiful or refined setting. It's a more sophisticated way to say '扫兴' when the environment is aesthetic.

在这么美的湖边乱扔垃圾，真是大煞风景。
— Littering by such a beautiful lake is a real eyesore/mood-killer.

In very casual slang, young people might use '下头' (xiàtóu). This is a modern internet term that is the opposite of '上头' (to be obsessed/high on something). If someone you like does something gross or annoying, you feel '下头'—your interest immediately vanishes. While '扫兴' is classic and universal, '下头' is the trendy version used by Gen Z.

本来以为他很绅士，结果他一直抱怨，真让人下头。
— I thought he was a gentleman, but he kept complaining; it was such a turn-off.

Another word to consider is '枯燥' (kūzào), which means dry and dull. This is used for repetitive work or textbooks. It doesn't imply a 'sweeping away' of fun, but rather a total lack of it from the start. Choosing the right word shows you understand the emotional journey of the speaker—whether they were happy and then saddened (扫兴), or just bored from the beginning (无聊).

Register and Usage Summary: 1. 扫兴: Universal, common. 2. 败兴: Formal, literary. 3. 大煞风景: Idiomatic, focused on environment. 4. 下头: Slang, focused on attraction/vibe.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '兴' (xìng) was originally a picture of four hands lifting a vessel, symbolizing a collective effort or a 'rising' spirit. '扫' (sǎo) is a hand holding a broom. So '扫兴' is literally using a broom to knock down that rising spirit!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /saʊ ʃɪŋ/

US /saʊ ʃɪŋ/

The stress is balanced, but the fourth tone on '兴' (xìng) makes it sound more emphatic.

Rhymes With

高兴 (gāoxìng) 冷静 (lěngjìng) 干净 (gānjìng) 定 (dìng) 命 (mìng) 性 (xìng) 病 (bìng) 镜 (jìng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'Xing' as 'Zing'.
Using the wrong tone for 'Sao' (should be 3rd tone).
Using the wrong tone for 'Xing' (should be 4th tone).
Confusing 'Xing' with 'Xin' (heart).
Mumbling the 'x' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Characters are relatively common but need to be distinguished from similar ones.

Writing 4/5

The character '扫' and '兴' have several strokes and specific structures.

Speaking 2/5

The tones are distinct and the word is very useful in daily life.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to catch in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

高兴兴趣失望难过打扫

Learn Next

尽兴败兴大煞风景兴致勃勃索然无味

Advanced

兴味泼冷水掉链子下头煞风景

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs (离合词)

扫了他的兴 (Ruined his fun)

Using '真' and '太' with Adjectives

真扫兴 / 太扫兴了

The 'Verb + 得' Resultative Structure

玩得正开心，却被扫了兴

Using '别' for Negative Imperatives

别扫兴

The 'Subject + 让人 + Adjective' Pattern

他让人感到很扫兴

Examples by Level

下雨了，真扫兴。

It's raining, what a buzzkill.

Used as an adjective after '真'.

他不来参加派对，太扫兴了。

He isn't coming to the party, so disappointing.

Simple subject + predicate structure.

别扫兴，快来玩！

Don't be a buzzkill, come play!

Imperative sentence with '别'.

这个电影很扫兴。

This movie is very disappointing.

Basic adjective usage.

大家都觉得很扫兴。

Everyone feels very disappointed.

Focus on collective feeling.

本来很开心，现在很扫兴。

I was happy, now I'm disappointed.

Contrast between before and after.

太扫兴了，球赛取消了。

So disappointing, the ball game is canceled.

Exclamatory sentence.

他是一个扫兴的人。

He is a spoilsport.

Noun phrase '扫兴的人'.

由于天气不好，这次旅行很扫兴。

Due to bad weather, this trip was a buzzkill.

Cause-effect structure with '由于'.

请不要说扫兴的话。

Please don't say mood-killing things.

Formal request with '请'.

我们正玩得高兴，他的话太扫兴了。

We were having fun, and his words were such a buzzkill.

Use of '得' to describe the state of fun.

这真是一件扫兴的事情。

This is truly a disappointing thing.

Standard 'A is B' structure.

别让作业扫了我们的兴。

Don't let homework ruin our fun.

Separable verb structure '扫...兴'.

听到这个消息，大家都感到扫兴。

Everyone felt disappointed upon hearing this news.

Verb phrase '感到' + adjective.

他总是做一些扫兴的事。

He always does disappointing things.

Frequency adverb '总是'.

本来想吃火锅，结果关门了，真扫兴。

Wanted hotpot, but it's closed, what a buzzkill.

Use of '结果' to show unexpected result.

我不想扫你的兴，但我真的没时间。

I don't want to ruin your fun, but I really don't have time.

Polite refusal pattern.

他的出现扫了大家的兴。

His appearance ruined everyone's fun.

Subject + verb + object structure.

别在生日会上提考试，太扫兴了。

Don't mention exams at a birthday party; it's such a buzzkill.

Conditional context (at a party).

由于裁判的错误，这场比赛变得很扫兴。

Due to the referee's mistake, the game became very disappointing.

Resultative '变得'.

虽然有点扫兴，但我们还是得回家了。

Although it's a bit of a buzzkill, we still have to go home.

Concession clause with '虽然'.

他那副扫兴的样子让人很不舒服。

His mood-killing look makes people very uncomfortable.

Noun phrase describing appearance.

如果你再这样，就太扫兴了。

If you keep acting like this, it will be a real buzzkill.

Hypothetical '如果...就'.

为了不扫兴，他假装很开心。

In order not to ruin the fun, he pretended to be happy.

Purpose clause with '为了'.

在大家兴头正浓的时候，他的一盆冷水浇得真扫兴。

Just when everyone's spirits were high, his 'bucket of cold water' was such a buzzkill.

Idiomatic expression '浇冷水' (pour cold water).

这种扫兴的行为在社交场合是很不受欢迎的。

This kind of mood-killing behavior is very unwelcome in social situations.

Abstract noun phrase usage.

他原本想给大家一个惊喜，结果却扫了大家的兴。

He originally wanted to give everyone a surprise, but ended up ruining the fun.

Contrast between intention and result.

不要让琐事扫了你旅行的兴致。

Don't let trivial matters ruin the enjoyment of your trip.

Using '兴致' (interest/mood) as the object.

在浪漫的晚餐中谈论钱的事，确实很扫兴。

Talking about money during a romantic dinner is indeed a buzzkill.

Adverb '确实' for emphasis.

他那种扫兴的性格让他很难交到真心朋友。

His mood-killing personality makes it hard for him to make true friends.

Describing character traits.

虽然这次活动有些扫兴，但我们学到了很多。

Although this event was somewhat disappointing, we learned a lot.

Balanced sentence structure.

在这个关键时刻掉链子，真是太扫兴了。

Breaking down at this critical moment is such a buzzkill.

Slang '掉链子' (to let someone down at a key moment).

他那番不合时宜的评论，无疑是扫了在场所有人的兴。

His untimely comments undoubtedly ruined the fun for everyone present.

Sophisticated adverb '无疑' (undoubtedly).

在艺术创作中，过度的理性有时会显得十分扫兴。

In artistic creation, excessive rationality can sometimes seem like a total buzzkill.

Abstract philosophical application.

为了避免扫兴，主人巧妙地转移了话题。

To avoid ruining the mood, the host skillfully changed the subject.

Focus on social maneuvering.

这种扫兴的结局，让这部本该成为经典的作品大打折扣。

This disappointing ending significantly devalued what should have been a classic work.

Literary criticism context.

他深知自己言语扫兴，于是便沉默不语了。

Knowing his words were mood-killing, he then fell silent.

Complex causal structure.

尽管遭遇了扫兴的事，他依然保持着乐观的态度。

Despite encountering disappointing things, he still maintained an optimistic attitude.

Contrast between external events and internal state.

对于一个追求完美的人来说，任何瑕疵都是扫兴的。

For a perfectionist, any flaw is a mood-killer.

Generalizing a specific mindset.

他的冷嘲热讽极大地扫了大家的兴致。

His sarcasm greatly dampened everyone's spirits.

Strong adverb '极大地'.

在宏大的历史叙事中，这种个人的琐碎抱怨显得尤为扫兴。

In the grand historical narrative, such trivial personal complaints seem particularly out of place and dampening.

High-level academic register.

这种扫兴的笔触，破坏了整首诗原本空灵的意境。

This jarring brushstroke destroyed the originally ethereal atmosphere of the entire poem.

Aesthetic criticism.

他那扫兴的性格，使他在繁华的社交圈中显得格格不入。

His mood-killing nature made him seem completely out of place in the bustling social circles.

Describing social alienation.

若非那场扫兴的意外，他们的计划本可以完美收官。

If not for that disappointing accident, their plan could have concluded perfectly.

Subjunctive mood '若非...本可以'.

在欢庆的巅峰戛然而止，这种扫兴感是难以言喻的。

Coming to a screeching halt at the peak of celebration, this sense of disappointment is beyond words.

Describing psychological states.

他总是习惯于在别人兴高采烈时泼冷水，这种扫兴不仅是礼貌问题，更是修养问题。

He is used to throwing cold water when others are excited; this buzzkill behavior is not just a matter of politeness, but of personal cultivation.

Ethical and character analysis.

这种扫兴的干预，让原本自发的民间活动带上了浓厚的官僚色彩。

This dampening intervention gave the originally spontaneous folk activities a heavy bureaucratic tone.

Sociopolitical commentary.

尽管他努力掩饰，但那种扫兴的神情还是在眉间一闪而过。

Although he tried hard to hide it, that disappointed look still flickered between his eyebrows.

Detailed physical description.

Common Collocations

扫兴的话

扫兴的人

太扫兴了

扫大家的兴

感到扫兴

真扫兴

扫兴的事

扫兴而回

极其扫兴

有点扫兴

Common Phrases

别扫兴

— Don't be a buzzkill; used to stop someone from ruining the mood.

别扫兴，再喝一杯吧！

太扫兴了

— How disappointing! A common reaction to bad news during a fun time.

演唱会取消了？太扫兴了！

扫了...的兴

— To ruin someone's mood or interest.

他的话扫了我的兴。

扫兴而归

— To return home disappointed after a failed outing.

本来去爬山，结果下雨，只能扫兴而归。

说扫兴话

— To say things that dampen the mood.

他总是在大家开心时说扫兴话。

扫兴鬼

— A playful or mild insult for a person who ruins the fun.

你这个扫兴鬼，快走开！

真够扫兴的

— That's quite a buzzkill; used for emphasis.

这事儿真够扫兴的。

故意扫兴

— To ruin the mood on purpose.

你是不是故意扫兴？

免得扫兴

— To avoid ruining the fun.

我们先别告诉他，免得扫兴。

弄得扫兴

— To make things disappointing.

把气氛弄得很扫兴。

Often Confused With

扫兴 vs 失望

失望 is about failing expectations; 扫兴 is about ruining a good mood.

扫兴 vs 难过

难过 is deep sadness; 扫兴 is for lighter, social disappointments.

扫兴 vs 无聊

无聊 means boring from the start; 扫兴 means the fun was interrupted.

Idioms & Expressions

"大煞风景"

— To spoil the scenery or atmosphere; often used as a synonym for 扫兴 in aesthetic contexts.

在古迹上乱刻乱画，真是大煞风景。

Literary

"败兴而归"

— To return from an outing in low spirits because of some disappointment.

我们兴致勃勃地去，结果败兴而归。

Formal

"兴尽悲来"

— When joy reaches its height, sadness follows; a more philosophical take on mood changes.

人生往往是兴尽悲来。

Classical

"索然无味"

— Dull and uninteresting; describes the state after the 'Xing' has been swept away.

他的演讲索然无味。

Formal

"大失所望"

— To be greatly disappointed (more about expectations than mood).

这场比赛的结果让人大失所望。

Neutral

"煞有介事"

— To act as if something is very important (sometimes used for someone being '扫兴' by being too serious).

他煞有介事地讲这些规矩，真扫兴。

Neutral

"兴味索然"

— To be completely without interest or enthusiasm.

听了他的解释，我变得兴味索然。

Literary

"一落千丈"

— To drop a thousand feet; can describe the mood after a '扫兴' event.

他的心情瞬间一落千丈。

Neutral

"闷闷不乐"

— To be in low spirits or depressed.

他因为那件事一直闷闷不乐。

Neutral

"不欢而散"

— To part on bad terms or in a bad mood after a gathering.

那场聚会最后不欢而散。

Neutral

Easily Confused

扫兴 vs 失望

Both involve negative feelings about an outcome.

失望 is internal and can be about a person's future or a goal. 扫兴 is situational and about the current atmosphere.

我对他的表现很失望，但这场雨让我很扫兴。

扫兴 vs 败兴

They share the character '兴' and mean almost the same thing.

败兴 is more formal and often used in the idiom '败兴而归'. 扫兴 is much more common in daily speech.

我们败兴而归，因为那场扫兴的争吵。

扫兴 vs 没劲

Both describe a lack of fun.

没劲 means something is boring or you have no energy for it. 扫兴 means something active happened to ruin the fun.

这游戏真没劲 (it's boring). 他不玩了，真扫兴 (his leaving ruined it).

扫兴 vs 沮丧

Both describe a 'down' feeling.

沮丧 is a state of dejection, often after a failure. 扫兴 is the immediate reaction to a mood-killer.

失败让他很沮丧。聚会取消让他很扫兴。

扫兴 vs 煞风景

Both mean to spoil the mood.

煞风景 usually refers to something out of place that ruins the 'beauty' or 'elegance' of a moment.

在高级餐厅大声说话真煞风景。

Sentence Patterns

真/太 + 扫兴 (+ 了)

太扫兴了！

别 + 扫兴

别扫兴，快来玩。

扫了 + [Person] + 的兴

他扫了大家的兴。

本来...结果...真扫兴

本来想去公园，结果下雨了，真扫兴。

[Event] + 无疑是 + 扫兴的

这个消息无疑是扫兴的。

若非...本可以...不至于如此扫兴

若非他迟到，我们本可以玩得很尽兴，不至于如此扫兴。

感到 + 扫兴

我感到有些扫兴。

说/做 + 扫兴的话/事

他总是说一些扫兴的话。

Word Family

Nouns

兴致 (xìngzhì) - interest/mood

兴趣 (xìngqù) - interest

兴头 (xìngtóu) - state of excitement

Verbs

扫 (sǎo) - to sweep

兴 (xìng) - to rise/prosper (archaic usage)

Adjectives

兴高采烈 (xìnggāocǎiliè) - joyful

败兴 (bàixìng) - disappointed

打扫 (dǎsǎo)

扫除 (sǎochú)

高兴 (gāoxìng)

助兴 (zhùxìng)

尽兴 (jìnxìng)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in daily speech and social media.

Common Mistakes

Using it for serious tragedies. → 难过 / 悲痛
扫兴 is for 'ruined fun,' not for 'deep grief.' Using it for a death is insensitive.
Saying '他扫我'. → 他扫了我的兴。
You cannot just use '扫' with a person; you must include '兴' as the object.
Confusing it with '无聊'. → 扫兴
If it was never fun, it's '无聊'. If it *was* fun and then stopped, it's '扫兴'.
Using the wrong tone for 兴. → xìng (4th tone)
In '扫兴', it is always the 4th tone. 1st tone 'xīng' means to prosper or start.
Using it for failing a goal. → 失望
Failing an exam is '失望' (disappointed). The exam announcement ruining your fun is '扫兴'.

Tips

Use it for Social Vibe

Remember that 扫兴 is all about the social atmosphere. If the 'vibe' changes from good to bad, this is the perfect word.

Separable Verb

Don't forget you can split the word: 扫了兴. This is very common in native speech.

Emotional Intelligence

In China, being called 扫兴 often implies you have low EQ (emotional quotient). Be mindful of when you use it!

Broom Metaphor

Visualize a broom sweeping away a party hat. That visual will help you remember the '扫' (sweep) part.

Vs. Disappointed

If you are disappointed in a test score, use 失望. If the test announcement ruins your party, use 扫兴.

Emphasize the 4th Tone

The 'Xìng' in 扫兴 is a 4th tone. Saying it sharply helps convey the frustration of the mood being ruined.

Common Suffix

Learn '扫兴鬼' (buzzkill) as a single unit. It's a very common way to describe a person.

Internet Slang

Look out for '扫兴式父母' on social media to see how the word is used in modern psychological discussions.

Apologizing

If you have to leave early, say '不想扫大家的兴' to show you care about the group's fun.

Storytelling

Use 扫兴 to mark a transition in your stories from a happy scene to a conflict.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a party (兴) where everyone is dancing, and suddenly a giant broom (扫) sweeps everyone off the dance floor. That is 扫兴!

Visual Association

A broom sweeping away a smiley face emoji.

Word Web

Party Rain Buzzkill Disappointment Mood Sweep Social Interrupt

Challenge

Try to identify one thing today that was '扫兴' and describe it to a friend using the phrase '真扫兴'.

Word Origin

The term '扫兴' dates back to the Tang and Song dynasties in China. It combines '扫' (to sweep) with '兴' (interest or poetic inspiration). In ancient Chinese aesthetics, 'Xing' was a vital concept referring to the spontaneous emotional response to one's surroundings.

Original meaning: To sweep away the spiritual or creative inspiration one feels.

Sino-Tibetan / Sinitic

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use it for serious grief, as it can sound trivializing.

Equivalent to 'buzzkill', 'spoilsport', or 'wet blanket'.

Commonly used in variety shows like 'Hurry Up, Brother'. A frequent topic in modern Chinese 'parenting' blogs. Appears in many classic Mandopop songs about broken moods.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Social Gatherings

别扫兴
太扫兴了
扫大家的兴
扫兴鬼

Travel and Outings

真扫兴
扫兴而归
一件扫兴的事
天气扫兴

Entertainment

电影很扫兴
结局扫兴
扫兴的比赛
极其扫兴

Family and Relationships

扫兴的话
不要扫兴
扫了你的兴
性格扫兴

Professional Settings

有点扫兴
免得扫兴
扫兴的行为
不合时宜的扫兴

Conversation Starters

"你觉得在派对上最扫兴的行为是什么？"

"有没有哪次旅行让你感到特别扫兴？"

"如果你正玩得开心，有人突然提到工作，你会觉得扫兴吗？"

"你遇到过那种特别扫兴的人吗？"

"你觉得什么样的电影结局最扫兴？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你本来很期待，但最后却很扫兴的经历。

你认为一个人为什么会变得‘扫兴’？是性格原因吗？

谈谈你对‘扫兴式父母’这个词的看法。

如果你的好朋友在你的生日会上说了扫兴的话，你会怎么做？

写一段对话，其中一个人试图不扫另一个人的兴。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that would be very disrespectful. 扫兴 is for 'fun' things being ruined. For serious matters, use 难过 (sad) or 悲痛 (grieved).

It can be both. As an adjective: '这件事很扫兴'. As a separable verb: '他扫了我的兴'.

It's a slang term for a 'buzzkill' or 'spoilsport'. '鬼' (ghost/demon) is often used in Chinese as a suffix for people with certain traits (like 淘气鬼 for a naughty child).

You can say '别扫兴嘛' (bié sǎoxìng ma). The 'ma' at the end softens the tone, making it sound more like a friendly suggestion than a command.

Yes. For example, '这雨真扫兴' (This rain is such a buzzkill). The object is the cause of the ruined mood.

The most direct opposite is 尽兴 (jìnxìng), which means to enjoy oneself to the full.

It is neutral to informal. It is perfect for daily conversation, movies, and social media, but less common in technical or legal documents.

Use the pattern '扫...的兴'. For example: '你扫了大家的兴' (You ruined everyone's fun).

It's a metaphor. Just as a broom sweeps away dust, a '扫兴' event sweeps away all the good 'Xing' (interest/mood) in the air.

They are similar, but '下头' is modern slang specifically used when someone's attraction or 'vibe' for another person disappears instantly.