adjective HSK 3
stupid · foolish · clumsy · dumb
Meaning
笨 describes someone or something as lacking intelligence, skill, or grace. It can refer to mental slowness (stupid, dumb) or physical awkwardness (clumsy). The word carries a mildly negative connotation and is commonly used in everyday speech.
Usage
笨 is often used informally among friends or family, sometimes playfully or self-deprecatingly. It can describe people, animals, or objects that are unwieldy. Common in phrases like 笨蛋 (idiot) or 笨手笨脚 (clumsy). While not extremely harsh, it should be used carefully with people you don't know well.
Examples
- 01别叫我笨蛋！!Don't call me an idiot!
- 02他看起来笨手笨脚的，但其实很聪明。, .He looks clumsy, but he's actually very smart.
Common collocations
- 笨蛋idiot, fool
- 笨手笨脚clumsy, awkward
- 又笨又懒both stupid and lazy
- 笨办法clumsy method, inefficient way
Antonyms
Origin
The character 笨 is composed of 竹 (bamboo) on top and 本 (origin, root) below. The bamboo radical suggests something stiff or inflexible, metaphorically representing mental or physical rigidity.