thằng ngu

/[tʰaŋ˧˥ ŋu˧˥]/intelligence, insult, gendered

What does thằng ngu mean? thằng ngu is a Vietnamese strong that translates to “stupid bastard / dumbass” in English.

classifier-male stupid

01

"stupid bastard / dumbass"

'Thằng' is the male classifier that already carries contempt — it's what you use for boys, servants, or men you don't respect. Pair it with 'ngu' (stupid) and you've got a complete dismissal of someone's intelligence and social standing in two syllables.

Between gaming friends after a bad play: 'Thằng ngu! Sao mày chết chỗ đó?!' (You dumbass! How did you die there?!)