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March 24, 2026
糟糕zāogāo(zao1gao1)
糟糕 (zāo gāo) is an expression used to convey disappointment or frustration, similar to saying 'too bad' or 'how terrible' in English. It is often used in situations where something has gone wrong or when one encounters bad luck. The nuance suggests a sense of regret or bad circumstances.
Frequency#625DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing disappointment is often done in a light-hearted manner among friends, and using 糟糕 can evoke empathy and camaraderie in shared misfortunes, reflecting the value placed on social connections.
Memory Tip
Imagine a chef who has ruined a dish completely; the dish is '糟' (zāo) and the situation is '糕' (gāo). Together, they sound like 'too bad' because the chef's dreams of serving a great meal have turned into a disaster.
Meanings of 糟糕
zāogāo(zao1gao1)
1too bad
2how terrible
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About 糟糕
糟糕Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#625Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 糟糕
Podcast: 糟糕
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AI Study Notes for 糟糕
Quick Contrast
糟糕 (zāogāo) vs 差 (chà) — use 糟糕 to emphasize disappointment in a situation, while 差 describes something as poor or inferior without the same emotional weight.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a chef who has ruined a dish completely; the dish is '糟' (zāo) and the situation is '糕' (gāo). Together, they sound like 'too bad' because the chef's dreams of serving a great meal have turned into a disaster.
Usage Notes
糟糕 is generally used in informal contexts, often when expressing frustration or disappointment. Be careful not to use it in overly formal situations, as it may come off as too casual. Common collocations include '糟糕的情况' (terrible situation) and '糟糕的运气' (bad luck).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 糟糕 connects to other emotional expressions and adjectives. Focus on using it in context, particularly with verbs that indicate action or events, to describe negative outcomes.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing disappointment is often done in a light-hearted manner among friends, and using 糟糕 can evoke empathy and camaraderie in shared misfortunes, reflecting the value placed on social connections.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 糟糕 with similar expressions like 不好 (bù hǎo), which means 'not good' but lacks the same emotional weight. For example, saying '这件事不糟糕' (this matter is not terrible) instead of '这件事很糟糕' (this matter is terrible) misuses the context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 糟糕
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Grammar Patterns of 糟糕
糟糕 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
dài wǒ ér zǐ bǐ dé wài chū chī fàn jiǎn zhí zāo gāo tòu le。
Taking my son Peter to a restaurant was a nightmare.
3
莫利笑话我糟糕的方向感。
mò lì xiào huà wǒ zāo gāo de fāng xiàng gǎn。
Molly razzed me about my rotten sense of direction.
4
最糟糕的事情是，你给朋友打电话，而他们却出去了。
zuì zāo gāo de shì qíng shì， ， nǐ gěi péng yǒu dǎ diàn， huà ， ér tā mén què chū。
The worst thing is when you call friends and they've gone out.
5
我们陷入了难以言表的糟糕处境。
wǒ mén xiàn rù le nán yǐ yán biǎo de zāo gāo chǔ jìng。
We were in a disaster situation that defies description.
6
这绝对是我吃过的最糟糕的食物。
zhè jué duì shì wǒ chī guò de zuì zāo gāo de shí wù。
It was absolutely the worst food I have ever had.
7
英格兰队今晚为欧洲足球做了一次糟糕的宣传。
yīng gé lán duì jīn wǎn wéi ōu zhōu zú qiú zuò le yī cì zāo gāo de xuān chuán。
The England team were a poor advertisement for European football tonight.
8
他们在去年选举中如此糟糕的表现并不奇怪。
tā mén zài qù nián xuǎn jǔ zhōng rú cǐ zāo gāo de biǎo xiàn bìng bù qí guài。
It is not surprising they did so badly in last year's elections.
9
英国也有美食，只是一般的日常饮食太过糟糕。
yīng guó yě yǒu měi shí， ， zhī shì yī bān de rì cháng yǐn shí tài guò zāo。
English food can be wonderful but the normal English diet is abominable.
10
她的母亲，那个可怜的人，结局更糟糕。
tā de mǔ qīn， ， nà gè kě lián de， rén ， jié jú gēng。
Her mother, poor soul, came to an even worse end.
Cultural Notes for 糟糕
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing disappointment is often done in a light-hearted manner among friends, and using 糟糕 can evoke empathy and camaraderie in shared misfortunes, reflecting the value placed on social connections.
Frequently Asked Questions about 糟糕
Use 糟糕 when something disappointing happens, like receiving bad news or experiencing frustration.
No, 糟糕 is typically used in informal speech and writing; it's not suitable for formal contexts.
No, 糟糕 always carries a negative connotation and should not be used to describe positive situations.
