去死

[tɕʰʲə̀ sǐ]command, death, extreme

What does 去死 mean? 去死 is a Chinese nuclear that translates to “go to hell / drop dead” in English.

go die

01

"go to hell / drop dead"

Wish for someone's death. Extremely offensive and aggressive.

你去死吧!(Nǐ qù sǐ ba!) - Go to hell!

Context

  • Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
  • Only among very close friends who share this register

Avoid

  • Professional or formal settings
  • Around elders or authority figures
  • Public spaces — will cause genuine offense
  • Almost any situation — this is as offensive as it gets
  • Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture where ancestor worship and longevity are valued, wishing death is particularly taboo and hostile.

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