难看 in 30 Seconds
- 难看 (nánkàn) means ugly or unsightly.
- Used for appearance, objects, designs, and embarrassing actions.
- Milder alternative: 不好看 (bù hǎokàn). Stronger/formal: 丑陋 (chǒulòu).
The Chinese word 难看 (nánkàn) is a versatile adjective that directly translates to 'ugly' or 'unsightly' in English. It's a very common word used to describe something that is visually unappealing, whether it's a person, an object, a place, or even an action or situation that is considered unpleasant or discreditable.
At its most basic level, 难看 refers to a lack of aesthetic beauty. You might use it to describe a poorly designed piece of furniture, a messy room, or a person's appearance if you feel it is not attractive. For instance, if you see a painting that you find unpleasing to the eye, you could say it's 难看.
这件衣服的设计太难看了，我一点也不喜欢。
However, the usage of 难看 extends beyond just physical appearance. It can also describe actions or behaviors that are considered embarrassing, disgraceful, or socially unacceptable. If someone behaves rudely in public, their behavior could be described as 难看, implying it is not a good look for them or reflects poorly on them. Similarly, a losing team's performance might be described as 难看 if it was particularly poor and embarrassing.
- Usage Contexts
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- Physical Appearance: Describing something or someone as not pleasing to the eye.
- Objects and Design: Referring to items that are aesthetically unappealing or poorly made.
- Situations and Actions: Characterizing events or behaviors that are embarrassing, disgraceful, or unpleasant.
- Performance: Evaluating a performance (e.g., in sports, arts) as being very poor or embarrassing.
他在会议上的表现非常难看，让所有人都觉得尴尬。
Understanding these nuances will help you use 难看 accurately and effectively in various situations. It's a word you'll encounter frequently in everyday Chinese conversations, from casual remarks about fashion to more serious critiques of behavior or performance.
这个老房子的外观看起来有点难看。
- Related Concepts
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- Aesthetics: The principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty.
- Social Norms: Unwritten rules of behavior that are considered acceptable in a group or society.
- Reputation: The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something.
By mastering 难看, you gain a valuable tool for expressing negative judgments about appearance, design, and behavior in Chinese.
他画的画难看极了。
Using 难看 (nánkàn) in sentences is straightforward, but understanding the typical sentence structures will help you integrate it naturally into your Chinese. It generally functions as a predicative adjective or modifies a noun.
- Basic Structure: Subject + 难看
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This is the simplest way to use 难看. The subject is directly described as ugly or unsightly.
这个房间难看。
This room is ugly. 他的画难看。
His painting is ugly.
- Structure: Subject + 很/非常 + 难看
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Adding adverbs like 很 (hěn) (very) or 非常 (fēicháng) (extremely) intensifies the adjective. Note that 很 is often used as a default connector for adjectives, even if the meaning isn't strongly 'very'.
这件衣服的设计很难看。
This piece of clothing's design is very ugly. 他的表演非常难看。
His performance was extremely unsightly/embarrassing.
- Structure: Adjective + 的 + Noun
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难看 can directly modify a noun by preceding it with 的 (de). This is less common for 难看 compared to other adjectives, but still possible, especially for emphasis or in descriptive contexts.
我讨厌这个难看的家具。
I dislike this ugly furniture. 别穿那件难看的衬衫。
Don't wear that ugly shirt.
- Structure: Subject + 觉得 + Subject + 难看
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This structure is used to express an opinion about something. 觉得 (juéde) means 'to feel' or 'to think'.
我觉得他今天的发型很难看。
I think his hairstyle today is very ugly. 她觉得这个主意很难看（不妥）。
She thinks this idea is ugly (improper/unseemly).
- Structure: Subject + 行为/做法 + 难看
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When referring to actions or behavior, you can directly link 难看 to the behavior.
他那样做太难看了。
Doing that is too ugly (disgraceful/embarrassing). 在公共场合吵架很难看。
Arguing in public is very unsightly (embarrassing).
Practice constructing sentences using these patterns to solidify your understanding and usage of 难看.
这个网站的界面太难看了，用户体验很差。
- Structure: Subject + 使/让 + Object + 难看
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This structure means 'to make something look ugly' or 'to make someone look bad'.
他的迟到让整个团队的形象很难看。
His lateness made the entire team's image look bad.
You'll hear 难看 (nánkàn) in a wide variety of everyday situations in China. Its commonality stems from its directness and applicability to both physical and abstract concepts.
- Casual Conversations About Appearance
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Friends might comment on each other's clothing, hairstyles, or makeup. While it can be blunt, it's often used in a lighthearted way among close friends, or when discussing something objectively unattractive.
“你这件新毛衣颜色有点难看。”
“The color of this new sweater of yours is a bit ugly.” “我觉得那个明星的妆太浓了，有点难看。”
“I think that celebrity’s makeup is too heavy, it’s a bit ugly.”
- Discussions About Objects and Design
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When shopping, looking at home decor, or discussing product design, 难看 is frequently used to express dissatisfaction with the aesthetics.
“这个椅子造型太难看了，不实用。”
“This chair’s design is too ugly, it’s not practical.” “这个手机壳的设计太难看了，我不想买。”
“This phone case’s design is too ugly, I don’t want to buy it.”
- Critiques of Behavior and Situations
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This is where the word takes on a meaning beyond just visual ugliness, referring to actions that are embarrassing, disgraceful, or socially inappropriate.
“他在公共场合大声争吵，行为很难看。”
“He argued loudly in public, his behavior was very unsightly/embarrassing.” “比赛最后输成这样，太难看了。”
“Losing like this at the end of the game is too ugly (embarrassing).”
- Media and Reviews
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In movie reviews, restaurant critiques, or discussions about urban planning, 难看 is used to describe poor aesthetics or design choices.
“这部电影的特效很难看，不值一提。”
“This movie’s special effects are very ugly, not worth mentioning.” “这个新区的建筑风格太难看了，一点也不协调。”
“The architectural style of this new district is too ugly, not coordinated at all.”
When you're learning Chinese, try to notice 难看 in Chinese dramas, vlogs, or news reports. This will give you a better feel for its natural usage.
“这幅画的构图很难看。”
- Formal vs. Informal Settings
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While 难看 is generally considered neutral to informal, it's rarely used in extremely formal written contexts unless reporting objective facts about appearance or performance. In spoken language, its usage is very broad.
“他的行为让公司蒙羞，真是太难看了。”
“His behavior shamed the company, it was truly disgraceful.”
While 难看 (nánkàn) is a common word, learners can sometimes misuse it, particularly regarding its intensity and the contexts in which it's appropriate.
- Mistake 1: Overusing it for mild aesthetic dissatisfaction.
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Problem: Learners might use 难看 for things that are merely 'not to their taste' or 'a bit plain'. While technically correct, it can sound overly harsh or critical.
Incorrect: 我觉得这个颜色有点难看。
I think this color is a bit ugly. (Could be too strong if it's just a matter of preference). Correction: Use softer adjectives like 不好看 (bù hǎokàn) (not good-looking/unattractive), 一般 (yībān) (average/so-so), or 普通 (pǔtōng) (ordinary).
Correct: 我觉得这个颜色不是很好看。
I don't think this color looks very good.
- Mistake 2: Applying it to abstract concepts inappropriately.
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Problem: While 难看 can describe embarrassing actions, it's not a universal term for all negative abstract concepts. Using it for something like a 'difficult problem' or 'unpleasant news' would be incorrect.
Incorrect: 这个问题太难看了。
This problem is too ugly. (Incorrect, it should be 'difficult' or 'troublesome'). Correction: For abstract negative concepts, use more specific adjectives like 难 (nán) (difficult), 糟糕 (zāogāo) (terrible), 不好 (bù hǎo) (not good), or 令人不快 (lìng rén bù kuài) (unpleasant).
Correct: 这个问题很难解决。
This problem is difficult to solve.
- Mistake 3: Using it to describe people too directly.
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Problem: Calling someone 难看 is very rude and can be offensive. While it's the direct translation of 'ugly', in many cultures, including Chinese, directly calling a person ugly is socially unacceptable.
Incorrect/Rude: 你很难看。
You are very ugly. (Extremely rude). Correction: When discussing someone's appearance negatively, it's better to use indirect phrasing or focus on specific features rather than a blanket statement. Even then, it's often best avoided unless in very specific, often informal, contexts among very close friends or when discussing fictional characters.
- Mistake 4: Confusing its intensity.
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Problem: Learners might not realize that 难看 can range from mildly unappealing to severely unsightly or embarrassing, depending on the context and modifiers.
Correction: Pay attention to adverbs like 很 (hěn), 非常 (fēicháng), 极其 (jíqí) (extremely), or phrases like 太…了 (tài…le). These significantly increase the intensity. Without them, 难看 can be a moderate description.
Moderate: 这个设计有点难看。
This design is a bit ugly. Intense: 这个设计太难看了！
This design is too ugly! (Much stronger)
While 难看 (nánkàn) is a widely used term for 'ugly' or 'unsightly', Chinese offers several other words and phrases that convey similar or related meanings, often with subtle differences in nuance, formality, or application.
- 不好看 (bù hǎokàn)
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Meaning: Not good-looking, unattractive.
Comparison: This is a milder and more common alternative to 难看. It's less harsh and more frequently used in everyday conversation when something is simply not aesthetically pleasing but not offensively so. It's a safer choice when you want to express mild disapproval of appearance or design.
这幅画不好看，但很有创意。
This painting is not good-looking, but it's very creative. 难看 vs. 不好看: 难看 is stronger and can imply something is truly ugly or even embarrassing, while 不好看 is more neutral and simply means 'not attractive'.
- 丑陋 (chǒulòu)
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Meaning: Ugly, hideous.
Comparison: This is a more formal and literary word for 'ugly'. It carries a stronger sense of inherent ugliness and is often used in more serious or descriptive contexts, such as describing monstrous beings, grotesque art, or deeply unpleasant situations. It's less common in casual, everyday speech than 难看 or 不好看.
这个怪物的形象非常丑陋。
This monster's image is very hideous. 难看 vs. 丑陋: 难看 is more colloquial and can refer to anything aesthetically unpleasing or embarrassing. 丑陋 is more formal, literary, and implies a deeper, more inherent ugliness.
- 不雅 (bùyǎ)
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Meaning: Indecent, unseemly, inelegant.
Comparison: This term is used to describe behavior or actions that are considered inappropriate, lacking in grace, or morally questionable. It's often used for actions that are embarrassing or reflect poorly on someone's character or social standing, similar to how 难看 can be used for behavior, but 不雅 specifically targets social decorum and appropriateness.
他的言行举止很不不雅。
His words and actions are very unseemly. 难看 vs. 不雅: 难看 can describe embarrassing actions, but 不雅 specifically refers to behavior that lacks grace, decency, or propriety.
- 丢人 (diūrén)
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Meaning: To lose face, to be embarrassing.
Comparison: This is a verb phrase that describes the result or feeling of an action being embarrassing. When an action is described as 难看, it often implies that it causes the person or group involved to 丢人.
他比赛时犯了一个大错，真是太丢人了。
He made a big mistake during the game, it was truly embarrassing. 难看 (adjective) vs. 丢人 (verb phrase): 难看 describes the quality of the action or appearance itself as unsightly or embarrassing, while 丢人 describes the consequence or the feeling of shame associated with it.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The character 难 (nán) itself has an ancient origin, depicting a person struggling to cross a difficult path or bridge. This visual metaphor reinforces the idea of hardship and difficulty, which extends to the 'difficulty' in looking at something unpleasant. The character 看 (kàn) has evolved from pictograms representing an eye looking.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'a' as in 'cat' instead of 'father'.
- Not aspirating the 'k' sound, making it sound like 'gan' instead of 'kàn'.
- Reducing the tones, especially the third tone on '难' (nán) which should be a falling-rising tone, or the fourth tone on '看' (kàn) which is a sharp falling tone.
Difficulty Rating
At A1-A2 levels, recognizing 难看 is straightforward when referring to visual ugliness. Understanding its extension to embarrassing actions requires more context and exposure. The character combination is relatively simple.
Basic usage is easy for A1-A2 learners (Subject + 难看). More nuanced usage, especially for abstract concepts or formal contexts, requires B1+ proficiency.
Pronunciation is manageable. The main challenge is using it appropriately without sounding rude, especially when referring to people.
Easily recognizable in context, especially when referring to visual appearance or clear instances of embarrassing behavior.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Using Adjectives as Predicates
In Chinese, adjectives can directly follow the subject to form a predicate. For 难看, it's often used with adverbs like 很 or 非常, but can also stand alone. Example: 这个房间难看。(This room is ugly.)
The Particle '的' (de) for Modification
When an adjective modifies a noun directly, '的' is often placed between them. Example: 那个难看的包。(That ugly bag.)
Using '太...了' (tài...le) for Emphasis
This structure is used to express extreme degree. Example: 这个设计太难看了！(This design is too ugly!)
Using '觉得' (juéde - to feel/think) with Adjectives
This structure expresses personal opinion. Example: 我觉得这个颜色难看。(I think this color is ugly.)
Using Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs like 很 (hěn - very), 非常 (fēicháng - extremely), 有点 (yǒudiǎn - a bit) modify the adjective 难看. Example: 他的表演有点难看。(His performance was a bit unsightly.)
Examples by Level
这个苹果难看。
This apple is ugly.
Subject + 难看
我的旧玩具难看。
My old toy is ugly.
Subject + 难看
这件衣服难看。
This piece of clothing is ugly.
Subject + 难看
这个房间很难看。
This room is very ugly.
Subject + 很 + 难看
花难看。
The flower is ugly.
Subject + 难看
他的帽子难看。
His hat is ugly.
Subject + 难看
这个笔难看。
This pen is ugly.
Subject + 难看
那个包难看。
That bag is ugly.
Subject + 难看
这个网站的设计很难看。
This website's design is very ugly.
Subject + design + 很 + 难看
他的表演有点难看。
His performance was a bit unsightly/embarrassing.
Subject + performance + 有点 + 难看
这个地方看起来难看。
This place looks unsightly.
Subject + 看起来 + 难看
你这样做很难看。
Doing that makes you look bad/embarrassing.
Subject + 这样做 + 很 + 难看
这双鞋子太难看了。
These shoes are too ugly.
Subject + 太 + 难看 + 了
我不喜欢这个难看的房子。
I don't like this ugly house.
Adjective + 的 + Noun
他的行为让大家觉得难看。
His behavior made everyone feel awkward/embarrassed.
Subject + behavior + 让 + Object + 觉得 + 难看
这场比赛的结局很难看。
The outcome of this game was very unsightly/embarrassing.
Subject + outcome + 很 + 难看
他在会议上的表现非常难看，让所有人都尴尬。
His performance in the meeting was very unsightly/embarrassing, making everyone awkward.
Subject + performance + 非常 + 难看
这个项目的失败让公司名誉受损，太难看了。
The failure of this project damaged the company's reputation, it was too embarrassing/disgraceful.
Subject + failure + 让 + Object + 名誉受损, 太 + 难看 + 了
她认为这个新发型对她来说有点难看。
She thinks this new hairstyle is a bit unattractive/ugly for her.
Subject + 认为 + Subject + hairstyle + 对 + Object + 来说 + 有点 + 难看
不要在公共场合做这么难看的事情。
Don't do such embarrassing/unsightly things in public.
不要 + 在 + Location + 做 + 这么 + 难看 + 的 + Thing
这栋老房子的外观太难看了，需要翻新。
The exterior of this old house is too unsightly, it needs renovation.
Subject + exterior + 太 + 难看 + 了, 需要 + Verb
他输得很难看，几乎没有得分。
He lost very badly/embarrassingly, scoring almost no points.
Subject + 输得很 + 难看, Clause
我觉得这个艺术品的构图很难看，缺乏美感。
I find the composition of this artwork very ugly, lacking aesthetic sense.
Subject + 觉得 + Subject + composition + 很 + 难看, Clause
他对待别人的方式太难看了，一点都不尊重人。
The way he treats others is too unsightly/disgraceful, not respectful at all.
Subject + way + of treating others + 太 + 难看 + 了, Clause
在商业谈判中，这种出尔反尔的行为实在太难看了。
In business negotiations, this kind of going back on one's word is truly disgraceful/unsightly.
In + Context, this kind of + Behavior + 实在 + 太 + 难看 + 了
他为了赢比赛不择手段，手段极其难看。
He resorts to any means to win the game, his methods are extremely unsightly/disgraceful.
Subject + 为了 + Verb + Object + 不择手段, means + 极其 + 难看
这个城市规划的设计显得有些难看，与周围环境格格不入。
The design of this city planning appears somewhat unsightly, clashing with the surrounding environment.
Subject + design + 显得 + 有些 + 难看, Clause
尽管他能力很强，但他的说话方式总让人觉得难看。
Although his abilities are strong, his way of speaking always makes people feel uncomfortable/embarrassed.
Although + Clause, his + way of speaking + 总 + 让 + People + 觉得 + 难看
这场表演的观众反应十分冷淡，演员们感觉非常难看。
The audience reaction to this performance was very cold, the actors felt very embarrassed/awkward.
Subject + audience reaction + 非常 + Cold, actors + felt + 非常 + 难看
他对待失败的态度很难看，总是推卸责任。
His attitude towards failure is unsightly/disgraceful, always shirking responsibility.
Subject + attitude towards + Failure + 很 + 难看, always + Verb + Object
这个品牌的广告宣传做得有些难看，起到了反效果。
This brand's advertising campaign was done somewhat poorly/unsightly, having the opposite effect.
Subject + brand's + advertising campaign +做得 + 有些 + 难看, Clause
在如此重要的场合，他的着装显得格外难看。
On such an important occasion, his attire appeared particularly unsightly/inappropriate.
On + Occasion, his + attire + 显得 + 格外 + 难看
这种利用信息不对称来牟取暴利的商业模式，从道德角度看是极其难看的。
This business model of profiting immensely from information asymmetry is, from a moral standpoint, extremely disgraceful.
This kind of + Business model + of + Verb + Object + from + Moral perspective + is + Extremely + 难看
他在公众面前的辩解显得苍白无力，甚至有些难看。
His defense in front of the public appeared pale and weak, even somewhat unseemly.
His + defense + in front of + Public + appeared + Pale and weak, even + somewhat + 难看
这个雕塑的设计理念虽然前卫，但最终呈现出来的效果却十分难看。
Although the design concept of this sculpture is avant-garde, the final presented effect is quite unsightly.
Although + Clause, the final + presented effect + is + Quite + 难看
他为了个人利益不惜损害他人名誉，这种行为在任何文化中都是难看的。
He does not hesitate to damage others' reputation for personal gain; such behavior is unsightly/disgraceful in any culture.
He + does not hesitate to + Verb + Object, such + Behavior + in + Any culture + is + 难看
这场比赛的裁判判罚存在严重争议，导致比赛过程显得十分难看。
The referee's calls in this game were highly controversial, causing the game process to appear very unsightly/disgraceful.
Subject + referee's calls + were + Highly controversial, causing + game process + to appear + Very + 难看
他试图用谎言掩盖真相，最终弄得自己非常难看。
He tried to cover up the truth with lies, and in the end, made himself look very bad/embarrassed.
He + tried to + Verb + Object + with + Noun, and in the end + made himself + Very + 难看
这个城市的旧城区改造项目，在保留历史风貌方面做得相当难看。
The renovation project for this city's old town, in terms of preserving historical features, was done quite poorly/unsightly.
Subject + city's + old town + renovation project, in terms of + Verb + Object + was done + Quite + 难看
他在公开场合批评同事，这种做法显得极其难看，缺乏职业素养。
He criticized his colleagues in public; this approach appears extremely unseemly, lacking professional ethics.
He + criticized + Colleagues + in + Public, this + approach + appears + Extremely + 难看, lacking + Professional ethics
在信息爆炸的时代，那些鼓吹极端观点的媒体，其内容呈现方式往往显得有些难看，缺乏客观性。
In the era of information explosion, the content presentation of media outlets that promote extreme views often appears somewhat unsightly, lacking objectivity.
In + Era of Information Explosion, those + media outlets + that + promote + Extreme views, their + content presentation + often + appears + Somewhat + 难看, lacking + Objectivity
他试图通过操纵舆论来掩盖自己的过失，这种手段在文明社会是不可容忍的难看。
His attempt to manipulate public opinion to cover up his mistakes is an unpardonably disgraceful act in civilized society.
His + attempt to + Verb + Object + to + Verb + Object, this + kind of + means/act + in + Civilized society + is + Unpardonably + 难看
这部电影在艺术表现上用力过猛，导致许多场景显得冗余且难看。
This movie overexerted itself in its artistic expression, resulting in many scenes appearing redundant and unsightly.
This + Movie + in + Artistic expression + overexerted itself, causing + many scenes + to appear + Redundant and + 难看
在处理国际关系时，一味地采取强硬姿态而忽视对话，最终会让国家形象显得难看。
When handling international relations, unilaterally adopting a tough stance while ignoring dialogue will ultimately make the nation's image appear unsightly/disgraceful.
When + Verb + Object, unilaterally + adopting + Noun + while + ignoring + Noun, will ultimately + make + Noun's + Image + appear + 难看
他为了在竞争中胜出，不惜采取卑鄙的手段，其行为之难看令人咋舌。
In order to win in the competition, he did not hesitate to resort to despicable means; the unsightliness/disgracefulness of his actions is astonishing.
He + in order to + Verb + Object + did not hesitate to + Verb + Object, the + unsightliness/disgracefulness + of his + Actions + is + Astonishing
这个城市的老城区改造项目，虽然旨在提升市容，但其粗暴的拆迁方式使得居民的安置问题显得格外难看。
The renovation project for this city's old town, while aiming to improve the urban appearance, made the relocation issue for residents appear particularly unsightly/problematic due to its brutal demolition methods.
Subject + old town renovation project, although + aiming to + Verb + Object, its + brutal + demolition methods + made + Residents' + relocation issue + appear + Particularly + 难看
在探讨社会公平问题时，那些试图将责任完全转嫁给个人的论调，往往暴露了其理论的难看之处。
When discussing social justice issues, arguments that attempt to completely shift responsibility onto individuals often reveal the unsightly/flawed nature of their theories.
When + Verb + Object, those + arguments + that + attempt to + Verb + Object + often + reveal + the + unsightly/flawed + nature + of their + Theories
这位艺术家试图通过颠覆传统审美来获得关注，但其作品最终呈现出的效果却过于难看，难以被主流接受。
This artist attempted to gain attention by subverting traditional aesthetics, but the final presented effect of his work was too unsightly to be accepted by the mainstream.
This + Artist + attempted to + Verb + Object + by + Verb + Object, but the final + presented effect + of his + Work + was + Too + 难看, difficult to be + Accepted by + Mainstream
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— It's too ugly! / It's too unsightly!
这幅画的颜色太难看了！ (The colors of this painting are too ugly!)
— A bit ugly / A bit unsightly.
这个家具的设计有点难看。 (This furniture's design is a bit unsightly.)
— To have an unpleasant facial expression; to look displeased or angry.
听到这个坏消息，他脸色立刻变得很难看。 (Upon hearing this bad news, his face immediately turned very displeased.)
— To lose very badly or embarrassingly.
他们在比赛中输得很（很）难看。 (They lost the game very badly.)
— This matter was handled too disgracefully/embarrassingly.
他处理这件事情的方式太难看了。 (The way he handled this matter was too disgraceful.)
— Not good-looking at all.
这个发型一点也不好看。 (This hairstyle is not good-looking at all.)
— To be ugly in appearance (used carefully).
他说自己的长相有点难看。 (He says his own appearance is a bit ugly.)
— Designed unattractively.
这个建筑设计得太难看了。 (This building's design is too unattractive.)
— Doing it this way is unsightly/embarrassing.
在别人面前这样做很难看。 (Doing this in front of others is unsightly.)
— To appear unsightly or unattractive.
他的衣服很旧，显得有点难看。 (His clothes are very old, making him appear a bit unsightly.)
Often Confused With
不好看 (bù hǎokàn) is a milder version of 难看. It simply means 'not good-looking' or 'unattractive', whereas 难看 can imply something is truly ugly or even embarrassing.
丑陋 (chǒulòu) is a more formal and literary word for 'ugly' or 'hideous'. It's often used for more extreme or inherent ugliness and is less common in casual speech than 难看.
丢人 (diūrén) is a verb phrase meaning 'to lose face' or 'to be embarrassing'. While an action described as 难看 often causes people to 丢人, 难看 describes the quality of the action itself, while 丢人 describes the consequence or feeling.
Idioms & Expressions
— Literally 'its appearance is not pleasing.' This idiom describes someone or something that is plain-looking or unremarkable in appearance, not necessarily ugly but certainly not beautiful.
虽然他其貌不扬，但内心善良。 (Although he is plain-looking, his heart is kind.)
Idiomatic/Formal— Literally 'draw a snake and add feet.' This idiom means to ruin the effect by adding something superfluous or unnecessary. While not directly about ugliness, the 'ruined effect' can be seen as making something aesthetically displeasing or awkward.
你的建议很好，但最后一句画蛇添足了。 (Your suggestion is good, but the last sentence is superfluous and ruins it.)
Idiomatic/Common— Literally 'a hundred kinds of ugly postures.' This idiom describes someone who behaves in a very ridiculous, shameful, or disgraceful manner.
他在酒席上丑态百出，让人看不下去。 (He behaved in a very ridiculous and shameful manner at the banquet, making people unable to watch.)
Idiomatic/Strong— Literally 'face and appearance are completely different.' This idiom means that something has been so altered or damaged that it is unrecognizable. It can imply that the resulting state is ugly or distorted.
经过大火，这栋建筑已经面目全非了。 (After the big fire, this building is unrecognizable.)
Idiomatic/Descriptive— Literally 'cannot bear to look at.' This idiom describes something so ugly or terrible that one cannot bear to see it.
他家里的卫生状况不堪入目。 (The hygiene condition in his home is unbearable to look at.)
Idiomatic/Strong— Literally 'to continue a sable coat with a dog's tail.' This idiom means to spoil something good by adding something inferior or inappropriate, often resulting in an unappealing or ridiculous outcome.
这部电影的结局狗尾续貂，让人失望。 (The ending of this movie spoiled the good part by adding something inferior, making it disappointing.)
Idiomatic/Critical— Literally 'clothes and hat not neat.' This describes someone whose attire is messy or disheveled, making them look untidy or unattractive.
他总是衣冠不整地来上班。 (He always comes to work with his clothes messy.)
Descriptive— Literally 'Dong Shi imitates Xi Shi's frown.' This idiom refers to blindly imitating someone else's mannerisms, especially negative ones, leading to a ridiculous or ugly result.
她学着明星的样子皱眉，结果东施效颦，显得很奇怪。 (She imitated the celebrity's frowning, but ended up looking ridiculous and strange.)
Idiomatic/Humorous— While not directly meaning 'ugly,' this describes someone who is materialistic, mercenary, and concerned with vulgar gains. Their behavior can be perceived as aesthetically or morally 'ugly'.
他为人市侩，只关心钱，不关心别的。 (He is mercenary and only cares about money, not anything else.)
Descriptive/Critical— Refers to something or someone that is crude, vulgar, or uncouth. This can apply to language, behavior, or even aesthetics that lack refinement.
他的言语粗鄙，让人难以接受。 (His language is crude and vulgar, making it hard to accept.)
Descriptive/CriticalEasily Confused
Both describe lack of aesthetic appeal.
不好看 is a milder, more neutral term meaning 'not good-looking' or 'unattractive'. 难看 is stronger, meaning 'ugly', 'unsightly', or even 'embarrassing' when referring to actions or situations. For example, a plain dress might be 不好看, but a poorly executed performance might be 难看.
这件衣服<strong>不好看</strong>，但那场表演<strong>太难看了</strong>。 (This piece of clothing is not good-looking, but that performance was too unsightly/embarrassing.)
Both translate to 'ugly'.
丑陋 is more formal, literary, and implies a deeper, inherent ugliness. It's often used for things like monsters, grotesque art, or severe deformities. 难看 is more colloquial and versatile, used for anything visually unappealing or behaviorally embarrassing. For instance, a villain in a story might be described as 丑陋, while a messy room is 难看.
那个怪物的形象非常<strong>丑陋</strong>，而他画的画<strong>很难看</strong>。 (That monster's image was very hideous, while the painting he drew was very ugly.)
Both relate to negative outcomes or appearances.
丢人 is a verb phrase meaning 'to lose face' or 'to be embarrassing.' It describes the consequence or feeling associated with an action. 难看 is an adjective describing the quality of something or an action as 'ugly,' 'unsightly,' or 'embarrassing.' An action that is 难看 often causes people to 丢人. For example, losing a game badly is 难看 (the outcome is unsightly/embarrassing), and it makes the team 丢人 (lose face).
他比赛输得很<strong>难看</strong>，真是太<strong>丢人</strong>了。 (He lost the game very embarrassingly, it was truly losing face.)
Both can describe inappropriate behavior.
不雅 specifically refers to behavior or actions that are indecent, unseemly, or lack grace and propriety. It focuses on social decorum. 难看 can also describe embarrassing behavior, but it's broader and can include actions that are simply awkward or reflect poorly on someone, not necessarily indecent. For example, shouting in a library might be 难看 (embarrassing), but displaying oneself indecently would be 不雅.
他的言行举止很不<strong>不雅</strong>，而他那样做很<strong>难看</strong>。 (His words and actions were very indecent, while doing it that way was unsightly/embarrassing.)
Both are negative descriptors.
糟糕 primarily means 'terrible,' 'awful,' or 'bad.' It's often used for situations, weather, or outcomes. While a 糟糕 situation might also be described as 难看 if it's embarrassing or visually unpleasant, 糟糕 focuses more on the overall badness or terribleness. For example, the weather can be 糟糕 (terrible), but a poorly designed website is 难看 (ugly/unsightly).
今天天气很<strong>糟糕</strong>，而且他穿的衣服<strong>很难看</strong>。 (The weather today is terrible, and the clothes he's wearing are ugly.)
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 难看。
这朵花<strong>难看</strong>。
Subject + 很 + 难看。
这个玩具很<strong>难看</strong>。
Subject + 太 + 难看 + 了。
这件衣服太<strong>难看了</strong>！
Adjective + 的 + Noun。
那个<strong>难看的</strong>旧沙发。
Subject + 觉得 + Subject + 难看。
她<strong>觉得</strong>这个发型<strong>难看</strong>。
Subject + (行为/表现) + 很 + 难看。
他昨天的表现很<strong>难看</strong>。
Subject + 显得 + 难看。
他的表情显得有点<strong>难看</strong>。
从...角度看 + Adjective。
从艺术角度看，这幅画<strong>难看</strong>。
Word Family
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High
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Using 难看 too directly for people's appearance.
→
Using 不好看 (bù hǎokàn) or describing specific features indirectly, or avoiding direct negative comments.
Calling someone 难看 is very rude. It's better to use milder terms like 不好看 or focus on specific aspects if necessary, rather than a blanket statement. For example, instead of '你很难看' (You are ugly), one might say '这件衣服可能不太适合你' (This piece of clothing might not suit you very well).
-
Confusing 难看 with 'difficult'.
→
Using 难 (nán) for 'difficult' and 难看 (nánkàn) for 'ugly' or 'unsightly'.
While 难 (nán) is part of 难看, 难看 specifically refers to appearance or behavior that is unappealing or embarrassing. For 'difficult problems,' you use 难, e.g., '这个问题很难' (This problem is difficult).
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Using 难看 for abstract concepts unrelated to appearance or embarrassment.
→
Using appropriate adjectives like 糟糕 (zāogāo - terrible), 严重 (yánzhòng - serious), or 困难 (kùnnán - difficult) for abstract concepts.
难看 is generally tied to visual appeal or social acceptability. For example, 'bad news' is 坏消息 (huài xiāoxi) or 糟糕的消息 (zāogāo de xiāoxi), not 难看的消息.
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Underestimating the strength of 难看.
→
Using intensifiers like 太...了 or 非常 when strong disapproval is intended, or using milder terms like 不好看 for less severe cases.
难看 can range in intensity. Without modifiers, it might be moderate. With '太...了', it becomes a strong exclamation of ugliness or embarrassment. Learners might use it too casually for things that warrant only mild critique.
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Using 难看 in formal written contexts inappropriately.
→
Using more formal or descriptive terms like 丑陋 (chǒulòu - hideous), 不雅 (bùyǎ - unseemly), or specific adjectives depending on the context.
While 难看 is common in speech, formal writing often prefers more precise or elevated vocabulary. For instance, in a critique of art, 丑陋 might be preferred over 难看 for a stronger, more formal judgment.
Tips
Aspirated 'K'
Ensure you aspirate the 'k' sound in 'kàn' (看) by releasing a puff of air. This distinguishes it from similar-sounding syllables and is crucial for clear pronunciation.
Milder Alternatives
For everyday situations where something is merely 'not attractive' rather than truly 'ugly' or 'embarrassing', consider using the milder term 不好看 (bù hǎokàn).
Adverbial Modifiers
Use adverbs like 很 (hěn), 非常 (fēicháng), or the structure '太...了' to adjust the intensity of 难看 according to your needs.
Politeness Matters
When describing people's appearance, avoid using 难看 directly. Focus on objects, designs, or behaviors that are clearly unappealing or embarrassing.
Sound Association
Link the sound 'nán kàn' to 'none can' stand to look. If 'none can stand to look,' it's very ugly (难看).
Sentence Building
Practice creating sentences using 难看 in different contexts: describing objects, actions, and even negative outcomes. Try using it with synonyms and antonyms for comparison.
Listen for Context
When learning, pay close attention to how native speakers use 难看. The context will reveal whether it refers to visual appearance or embarrassing behavior.
Beyond Visuals
Remember that 难看 extends beyond just visual ugliness. It can describe actions that are disgraceful or outcomes that are embarrassing, adding a layer of social judgment.
Face and Reputation
Actions described as 难看 often lead to 'losing face' (丢人). Understanding this cultural connection helps grasp the full weight of the word when used for behavior.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a very 'difficult' (难) thing that you 'look' (看) at, and it makes you cringe because it's so ugly! Think of a monstrous creature that's 'hard to look at' because it's so 'ugly'.
Visual Association
Picture a very messy, cluttered room. It's 'difficult' (难) to even 'look' (看) at because it's so 'ugly' (难看). Or visualize a painting that is so poorly done, it's painful to 'look' (看) at, making it 'difficult' (难) to appreciate.
Word Web
Challenge
Try describing five things you see around you as either 难看 or not 难看, and explain why. Focus on using it for objects or appearances first.
Word Origin
The word 难看 (nánkàn) is formed by combining two characters: 难 (nán) meaning 'difficult' or 'hard,' and 看 (kàn) meaning 'to look' or 'to see.' The literal combination suggests something that is 'difficult to look at.'
Original meaning: Initially, 'difficult to look at' likely referred to things that were visually displeasing or hard on the eyes. Over time, its meaning expanded to include actions or situations that are embarrassing or disgraceful, implying they are 'difficult to witness' or 'hard to bear seeing.'
Sino-TibetanCultural Context
Be cautious when using 难看 to describe people's physical appearance. It can be perceived as very harsh. Focus on using it for objects, designs, or behaviors that are objectively unappealing or embarrassing.
In English-speaking cultures, 'ugly' is also a strong word, but perhaps less directly tied to the concept of 'losing face' in the same way as in Chinese culture. While direct insults about appearance are also frowned upon, the broader application of 难看 to behavior and outcomes in Chinese gives it a unique cultural weight.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Describing clothing or fashion items.
- 这件衣服太难看了。
- 这双鞋子设计难看。
- 我不喜欢这个颜色，有点难看。
Commenting on interior design or home decor.
- 这个房间布置得很难看。
- 这个沙发的样子很难看。
- 这个窗帘有点难看。
Critiquing artwork or visual media.
- 这部电影的特效很难看。
- 这个画的设计很难看。
- 海报看起来很难看。
Discussing someone's behavior or actions.
- 他那样做太难看了。
- 公共场合吵架很难看。
- 这种行为很丢人，也很难看。
Evaluating performance in sports or competitions.
- 他们输得很惨，太难看了。
- 这场比赛打得很难看。
- 他的表现很糟糕，非常难看。
Conversation Starters
"What do you think of this new design? Is it good-looking or 难看?"
"Have you ever seen something so 难看 that you couldn't stop looking?"
"Sometimes, even if something isn't beautiful, it can still be interesting. What do you think?"
"When do you think it's okay to say something is 难看, and when should you be more polite?"
"Can you think of a time when an action was 难看 and caused someone to lose face?"
Journal Prompts
Describe an object you own that you find 难看 but keep for sentimental reasons. Why do you keep it?
Think about a time you witnessed someone behaving in a way that was 难看. What happened, and how did it make you feel?
Write a short review of a product or service you recently used. If it was unattractive or poorly designed, use the word 难看.
Imagine you are a fashion critic. Describe an outfit you find particularly 难看 and explain why.
Reflect on the difference between saying something is 难看 and saying it is simply 'not your favorite.' How does the word 难看 carry more weight?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, while 难看 (nánkàn) is commonly used for physical ugliness (people, objects, designs), it can also describe actions, behaviors, or outcomes that are embarrassing, disgraceful, or unseemly. For example, '他那样做太难看了' means 'Doing that makes him look bad/embarrassing.'
Yes, calling someone 难看 directly, especially to their face, is generally considered very rude and offensive in Chinese culture, similar to calling someone 'ugly' in English. It's best to avoid using it when referring to people's appearance unless you are very close friends and it's in a clearly joking context, or when discussing fictional characters.
A milder and more common alternative is 不好看 (bù hǎokàn), which means 'not good-looking' or 'unattractive.' It's less harsh and more polite for general aesthetic disapproval. For example, '这件衣服不好看' (This piece of clothing is not good-looking) is softer than '这件衣服难看' (This piece of clothing is ugly).
Yes, 难看 can be used for abstract concepts, primarily when those concepts relate to actions or outcomes that are embarrassing, disgraceful, or reflect poorly on someone's reputation. For instance, a business deal that goes badly and causes shame might be described as 难看. However, it's not used for things like 'difficult problems' (which would be 难 nán) or general 'bad news' (which would be 糟糕 zāogāo).
You can intensify 难看 using adverbs like 非常 (fēicháng - extremely), 极其 (jíqí - extremely), or by using the structure '太...了' (tài...le). For example, '这个设计太难看了！' (This design is too ugly!) or '他的表演非常难看' (His performance was extremely unsightly/embarrassing).
丑陋 (chǒulòu) is a more formal and literary word for 'ugly' or 'hideous,' often implying a deeper, inherent ugliness. 难看 is more colloquial and versatile, used for general visual unattractiveness as well as embarrassing actions or outcomes. You'd describe a monster as 丑陋, but a messy room as 难看.
While technically possible, it's very rude. If you want to say someone's face looks bad due to anger or sadness, it's more common to use phrases like 脸色很难看 (liǎnsè hěn nánkàn - his/her face looks unpleasant) or 脸色不好 (liǎnsè bù hǎo - his/her face is not good).
If a sports score is described as 难看, it means the team lost very badly and embarrassingly, often with a large point difference. It implies the performance was poor and unsightly. Example: '他们输得很难看。' (They lost very embarrassingly.)
Yes, 难看 is frequently used in art and design criticism to describe works or products that are visually unappealing, poorly executed, or lack aesthetic merit. Example: '这个建筑的设计太难看了。' (This building's design is too unsightly.)
An action or outcome described as 难看 often leads to people 'losing face' (丢人 - diūrén). The 难看 describes the embarrassing or disgraceful quality of the event itself, and 丢人 refers to the resulting shame or loss of reputation.
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Summary
难看 (nánkàn) is a versatile Chinese adjective meaning 'ugly' or 'unsightly.' It's used for physical appearances, objects, and designs, but also extends to actions and situations that are embarrassing or reflect poorly on someone. While a direct translation, be mindful of its intensity and potential rudeness when describing people directly.
- 难看 (nánkàn) means ugly or unsightly.
- Used for appearance, objects, designs, and embarrassing actions.
- Milder alternative: 不好看 (bù hǎokàn). Stronger/formal: 丑陋 (chǒulòu).
Context is Key
Remember that 难看 (nánkàn) can describe visual ugliness, but also embarrassing actions or outcomes. Pay attention to the surrounding words and situation to understand the precise meaning.
Aspirated 'K'
Ensure you aspirate the 'k' sound in 'kàn' (看) by releasing a puff of air. This distinguishes it from similar-sounding syllables and is crucial for clear pronunciation.
Milder Alternatives
For everyday situations where something is merely 'not attractive' rather than truly 'ugly' or 'embarrassing', consider using the milder term 不好看 (bù hǎokàn).
Adverbial Modifiers
Use adverbs like 很 (hěn), 非常 (fēicháng), or the structure '太...了' to adjust the intensity of 难看 according to your needs.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
一点儿
A1a little, a bit
一会儿
A1a moment, a while
一部分
B1part; portion; minority
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
