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笨蛋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
笨蛋bèndànfoolHSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #1230, Very Hard
笨蛋bèndànidiotHSK 7, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #1230, Very Hard
bèndàn(ben4dan4)ben dan T4
  1. 1fool
  2. 2idiot
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March 24, 2026

笨蛋bèndàn(ben4dan4)

笨蛋 (bèn dàn) refers to a fool or idiot, often used in a light-hearted or teasing manner. While it can denote someone who is not very clever, it is typically not as harsh as some other terms for 'fool' in Chinese, making it more suitable for informal contexts among friends or family.

Strokes22Frequency#1230DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, teasing someone affectionately by calling them 笨蛋 is common among friends and family, reflecting a playful bond rather than serious insult. This term can be seen in popular media, such as movies and TV shows, often highlighting the humorous aspects of relationships.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'clumsy egg' (笨蛋) that keeps dropping and cracking. The character 笨 (bèn) means 'clumsy' or 'stupid', while 蛋 (dàn) means 'egg'. Visualizing an egg that can't stay intact helps you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 笨蛋

bèndàn(ben4dan4)
1fool
2idiot
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About 笨蛋

笨蛋Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 笨蛋

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AI study notes for 笨蛋

Quick Contrast

傻瓜 (shǎguā) is a similar term for 'fool' but can carry a slightly more affectionate or naive connotation, while 笨蛋 (bèndàn) emphasizes a lack of cleverness.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone of this word, as it can come off as offensive if used with strangers or in a formal context. It is commonly used among friends, often in a joking manner, but avoid using it in professional settings. Remember that the tone is crucial: 笨 (bèn) has a falling tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

HSK Study Tips

Although 笨蛋 is not officially part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be understood at a beginner to intermediate level. Students should focus on recognizing similar colloquial terms and phrases that express emotions or relationships, as well as practicing pronunciation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 笨蛋 by applying it in formal contexts, mistakenly thinking it's harmless. For example, saying '你是个笨蛋' (nǐ shì gè bèn dàn) to a colleague is inappropriate; instead, reserve it for casual conversations among friends.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 笨蛋

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Component characters

笨bènstupid
HSK 411 strokes⺮
View full entry
蛋dànegg
HSK 211 strokes虫
View full entry

How to say fool in Chinese

“fool” in Chinese is笨蛋bèndàn

笨蛋 (bèn dàn) refers to a fool or idiot, often used in a light-hearted or teasing manner. While it can denote someone who is not very clever, it is typically not as harsh as some other terms for 'fool' in Chinese, making it more suitable for informal contexts among friends or family.

When to use 笨蛋

Be cautious with the tone of this word, as it can come off as offensive if used with strangers or in a formal context. It is commonly used among friends, often in a joking manner, but avoid using it in professional settings. Remember that the tone is crucial: 笨 (bèn) has a falling tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

笨蛋 or something close to it

傻瓜 (shǎguā) is a similar term for 'fool' but can carry a slightly more affectionate or naive connotation, while 笨蛋 (bèndàn) emphasizes a lack of cleverness.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 笨蛋 by applying it in formal contexts, mistakenly thinking it's harmless. For example, saying '你是个笨蛋' (nǐ shì gè bèn dàn) to a colleague is inappropriate; instead, reserve it for casual conversations among friends.

Write 笨蛋

笨
蛋

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Frequently asked questions about 笨蛋

No, 笨蛋 can be used in a playful or joking manner among friends, but it's important to be mindful of the context.

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