Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
废话 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
废话fèihuànonsenseHSK 7, n, rank #1973, Hard
废话fèihuàrubbishHSK 7, n, rank #1973, Hard
废话fèihuàsuperfluous wordsHSK 7, n, rank #1973, Hard
废话fèihuàYou don't say!HSK 7, n, rank #1973, Hard
废话fèihuàNo kidding! (gently sarcastic)HSK 7, n, rank #1973, Hard
fèihuà(fei4hua4) T4
  1. 1nonsense
  2. 2rubbish
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
废话(廢話)fèihuà(fei4hua4)

废话 (fèi huà) refers to unnecessary or superfluous words, often implying that what is being said is trivial or unimportant. It can be used in both serious and sarcastic contexts, such as when someone is stating the obvious or providing excessive detail.

Frequency#1973DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In modern Chinese culture, the concept of avoiding '废话' is valued in professional and personal communication, reflecting a preference for brevity and clarity. This can be seen in business meetings where concise communication is favored.

Memory Tip

Think of 废话 as '废' (waste) and '话' (words), so it literally means 'wasted words.' Picture someone rambling on about a trivial matter, like the weather, while you imagine tossing their words into a wastebasket.

Meanings of 废话

fèihuà(fei4hua4)
1nonsense
2rubbish
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 废话

废话Simplified
廢話Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1973Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 废话

JasonAmy

Podcast: 废话

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 废话

Quick Contrast

废话 (fèihuà) vs 牢骚 (láosāo): choose 废话 for trivial or unnecessary remarks, while 牢骚 implies complaints or grievances.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 废话 as '废' (waste) and '话' (words), so it literally means 'wasted words.' Picture someone rambling on about a trivial matter, like the weather, while you imagine tossing their words into a wastebasket.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone, as 废话 can be perceived as dismissive or rude if used inappropriately. It is often used in informal conversations, so avoid it in formal writing. Common collocations include '说废话' (to talk nonsense) and '别废话' (stop with the nonsense).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 废话 connects with other words about communication and discourse. Students should focus on its usage in casual dialogue and recognize its connotations in different contexts, especially when expressing frustration or sarcasm.

Cultural Note

In modern Chinese culture, the concept of avoiding '废话' is valued in professional and personal communication, reflecting a preference for brevity and clarity. This can be seen in business meetings where concise communication is favored.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 废话 with other words for 'talk' or 'speech' and use it inappropriately. For example, saying '我们在这里说废话' (We are here to talk nonsense) in a formal setting is incorrect; instead, use '我们在这里讨论' (We are here to discuss).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 废话

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 废话 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

废fèito abolish
HSK 78 strokes广
View full entry
话huàspoken words
HSK 18 strokes讠
View full entry

Write 废话

废
话

Practice writing 废话 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 废话

废话 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这是政客们宣扬过无数次的____。

This is the claptrap that politicians have peddled many times before.

Example Sentences for 废话 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这是政客们宣扬过无数次的废话。

zhè shì zhèng kè mén xuān yáng guò wú shù cì de fèi huà。

This is the claptrap that politicians have peddled many times before.
2
我一辈子还从没听到过这样一堆废话。

wǒ yī bèi zǐ huán cóng méi tīng dào guò zhè yàng yī duī fèi huà。

I've never heard such a load of tripe in all my life.
3
那是一堆枯燥乏味、毫无幽默感的废话。

nà shì yī duī kū zào fá wèi、 、 háo wú yōu mò gǎn de fèi。

It is a tedious, humourless load of crap.
4
我说的其余那些全部都是废话。

wǒ shuō de qí yú nà xiē quán bù dū shì fèi huà。

All the rest I said, all that was bullshit.
5
这都是废话和迷信,不是真的.

zhè dū shì fèi huà hé mí xìn, , bù shì zhēn.

It's all rubbish and superstition, and there's nothing in it.
6
那种废话都是左耳进，右耳出。

nà zhǒng fèi huà dū shì zuǒ ěr jìn， ， yòu ěr。

That rubbish goes in one ear and out the other.
7
谁都知道这完全是废话连篇。

shuí dū zhī dào zhè wán quán shì fèi huà lián piān。

Anyone knows that all this is blather.
8
他写的满篇都是自鸣得意、道貌岸然的废话。

tā xiě de mǎn piān dū shì zì míng dé yì、 、 dào mào àn rán de fèi。

He writes smug, sanctimonious waffle.
9
阿奇，闭嘴！净废话。

ā qí， ， bì！ zuǐ ！ jìng。

Archie, shut up. You're prattling.
10
我们已经听够了废话.

wǒ mén yǐ jīng tīng gòu le fèi huà.

We have had enough of phrases.

Cultural Notes for 废话

🏮Cultural insight

In modern Chinese culture, the concept of avoiding '废话' is valued in professional and personal communication, reflecting a preference for brevity and clarity. This can be seen in business meetings where concise communication is favored.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

Unlike Western cultures that sometimes encourage small talk and elaboration, Chinese culture often prefers direct and to-the-point conversations, viewing excessive talk as less desirable.

Frequently Asked Questions about 废话

Not necessarily; it can be used humorously or sarcastically among friends, but be careful as it can also be dismissive.