xấu
[səw˧˦]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(adjective) ugly; hideous
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
xấu òm / xấu hoắcugly as heck
Tên gì xấu quá vậy?What an awful name!
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(adjective) bad; of low quality
Examples
gạo xấubad rice
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(adjective) bad; wicked
Examples
kẻ xấua bad person
theo nghĩa xấuin the pejorative sense
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “xấu” mean?
(adjective) ugly; hideous
Is “xấu” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.