二百五 (èr bǎi wǔ)
What does 二百五 (èr bǎi wǔ) mean? 二百五 (èr bǎi wǔ) is a Chinese moderate that translates to “idiot / stupid / dumbass” in English.
Literal Translation
two hundred fifty
Meaning & Usage
"idiot / stupid / dumbass"
The number 250; slang for idiot.
Examples in the Wild
你这个二百五！ (Nǐ zhège èrbǎiwǔ! - You idiot!)
When to Use It
Context
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- Direct confrontation (use with caution)
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
Origin story: Ancient king offered 1000 taels for his minister's killer. Four men claimed credit, dividing reward into 250 each, revealing their stupidity. 'Er' (二 - two) alone also means stupid. Avoid pricing things at 250 RMB as it offends customers.
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