zéi: 贼 - Thief, Traitor; Extremely, Very

• Keywords: zéi, 贼, Chinese thief, Chinese traitor, 贼是什么意思, zéi meaning, Chinese slang very, extremely, 小偷, 偷东西的人, Chinese furtive, sneaky, Chinese slang, Northern Chinese dialect.
• Summary: The Chinese character 贼 (zéi) is a versatile word with a fascinating split personality. Its traditional meaning is a “thief,” “bandit,” or even a “traitor,” carrying a strong negative connotation. However, in modern, informal Chinese, especially in the north, 贼 (zéi) has evolved into a popular slang adverb meaning “extremely” or “very,” similar to “wicked” or “hella” in English. This page will break down its dual nature, from ancient criminal to modern intensifier.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zéi
• Part of Speech: Noun, Adverb, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A person who steals (thief) or betrays (traitor); an adverb meaning “extremely”; an adjective meaning “sneaky” or “furtive.”
• In a Nutshell: At its core, `贼` is about transgression. Historically, it meant someone who transgressed the law by stealing or betraying. This gives it a heavy, negative feel. But in contemporary slang, this “transgression” has been softened into a way to “transgress” or go beyond normal levels of intensity. So, something that is `贼好吃` (zéi hǎochī) isn't just tasty, it's “extremely” or “unbelievably” tasty. The key is to understand the context: in formal or historical text it's a criminal, but in casual conversation it's a cool-sounding intensifier.

• 贼 (zéi): This is a single-character word. It's a phono-semantic compound, meaning one part gives the meaning and the other gives the sound.
• 贝 (bèi): This is the semantic (meaning) radical. Originally a picture of a cowrie shell, it came to represent currency, valuables, and property. Its presence points to the concept of wealth or possessions.
• 戎 (róng): This is the phonetic (sound) component, but it also adds to the meaning. It originally depicted a weapon, and its meanings include “weapon” or “military affairs.”
• Combined Meaning: The character powerfully combines “valuables” (`贝`) with “weapon/force” (`戎`). This creates a vivid image of someone who uses force or illicit means to take another's property, perfectly capturing the essence of a thief or bandit.

• The Serious Criminal: Historically, `贼 (zéi)` was not just a petty thief. It often referred to bandits, rebels, and traitors who posed a threat to social stability and the authority of the state. In classic literature like “Water Margin” (《水浒传》), the heroes are outlaws, but the government would have labeled them as `贼`. This term carries the weight of disrupting social harmony (`和谐 héxié`), a core value in Chinese culture.
• Contrast with “Thief” and “Revolutionary”: In English, “thief” is a fairly straightforward term. `贼 (zéi)` can be much more severe, closer to “scoundrel,” “brigand,” or “traitor.” When used to mean traitor (`国贼 guózéi`, “traitor to the nation”), it's one of the most damning labels a person can receive. This contrasts with the Western concept of a “revolutionary,” which can have a positive, heroic connotation. A `贼`, in the context of rebellion, is almost always viewed negatively from the perspective of the established order.

`贼` has three primary uses today, varying greatly in formality and connotation.

This is the traditional meaning. While the word `小偷 (xiǎotōu)` is far more common for a petty thief or pickpocket in daily conversation, `贼` is still used in set phrases, idioms, and more formal or literary contexts to denote a more serious criminal.

• Example: `做贼心虚 (zuòzéi-xīnxū)` - “to have a guilty conscience.”

`贼` can be used to describe a person's appearance or actions as being sly, shifty, or untrustworthy.

• Example: `贼眉鼠眼 (zéiméi-shǔyǎn)` - an idiom literally meaning “thief's eyebrows and mouse's eyes,” describing someone who looks shifty and untrustworthy.

This is the most dynamic and common use of `贼` in modern slang, especially popular among younger generations and in Northern China (particularly Beijing). It functions as an intensifier, much like “really,” “so,” or “hella” in English. It adds a casual, emphatic, and slightly cool tone. It's almost always used in spoken, informal Chinese.

• Example: `这件衣服贼好看！` (This piece of clothing is crazy beautiful!)

• Example 1: (As a Noun: Thief)
• 警察终于抓住了那个贼。
• Pinyin: Jǐngchá zhōngyú zhuāzhùle nàge zéi.
• English: The police finally caught that thief.
• Analysis: Here, `贼` is used in its classic noun form. It sounds a bit more literary or dramatic than the more common `小偷 (xiǎotōu)`.
• Example 2: (As a Noun in an Idiom)
• 他说话躲躲闪闪的，一看就是做贼心虚。
• Pinyin: Tā shuōhuà duǒduoshǎnshǎn de, yí kàn jiùshì zuòzéi-xīnxū.
• English: He's being so evasive when he talks; you can tell he has a guilty conscience.
• Analysis: `做贼心虚 (zuòzéi-xīnxū)` is a very common chengyu (idiom). It literally means “to be a thief and have a weak heart,” perfectly capturing the feeling of being nervous because you've done something wrong.
• Example 3: (As a Noun: Traitor)
• 在历史上，卖国贼是不会有好下场的。
• Pinyin: Zài lìshǐ shàng, màiguózéi shì bùhuì yǒu hǎo xiàchǎng de.
• English: In history, traitors never have a good ending.
• Analysis: `卖国贼 (màiguó zéi)` means “nation-selling traitor.” This is a very strong and formal use of `贼`, full of negative condemnation.
• Example 4: (As an Adjective: Shifty)
• 你看他那贼眉鼠眼的样子，肯定没安好心。
• Pinyin: Nǐ kàn tā nà zéiméi-shǔyǎn de yàngzi, kěndìng méi ān hǎoxīn.
• English: Look at his shifty-eyed appearance, he's definitely up to no good.
• Analysis: The idiom `贼眉鼠眼 (zéiméi-shǔyǎn)` uses `贼` adjectivally to describe a person's untrustworthy facial expression.
• Example 5: (As an Adverb: Extremely Delicious)
• 这家店的烤鸭贼好吃！你一定要尝尝。
• Pinyin: Zhè jiā diàn de kǎoyā zéi hǎochī! Nǐ yídìng yào chángchang.
• English: The roast duck at this restaurant is wicked good! You have to try it.
• Analysis: This is the most common modern slang usage. `贼` directly modifies the adjective `好吃` (delicious) to mean “extremely delicious.” It's very informal and friendly.
• Example 6: (As an Adverb: Extremely Cold)
• 今天外面贼冷，你多穿点儿衣服。
• Pinyin: Jīntiān wàimiàn zéi lěng, nǐ duō chuān diǎnr yīfu.
• English: It's crazy cold outside today, wear some more clothes.
• Analysis: `贼` intensifies the adjective `冷` (cold). This is typical Northern dialect.
• Example 7: (As an Adverb: Extremely Good at something)
• 他打篮球打得贼棒！
• Pinyin: Tā dǎ lánqiú dǎ de zéi bàng!
• English: He's extremely awesome at playing basketball!
• Analysis: Here `贼` intensifies `棒` (bàng - great, awesome). The `得 (de)` structure is used to connect a verb to a description of how it's performed.
• Example 8: (As an Adverb: Extremely Pretty)
• 我觉得她的新发型贼好看。
• Pinyin: Wǒ juéde tā de xīn fàxíng zéi hǎokàn.
• English: I think her new hairstyle is incredibly good-looking.
• Analysis: A common, casual compliment. Using `贼` instead of `很 (hěn)` makes the compliment sound more enthusiastic and modern.
• Example 9: (As an Adverb: Extremely Difficult)
• 这道数学题贼难，我完全不会做。
• Pinyin: Zhè dào shùxué tí zéi nán, wǒ wánquán bùhuì zuò.
• English: This math problem is extremely difficult, I have no idea how to solve it.
• Analysis: While often used with positive words, `贼` can also intensify negative ones like `难` (difficult), emphasizing the high degree of difficulty in a colloquial way.
• Example 10: (As an Adverb: Extremely Funny)
• 你刚才讲的那个笑话贼搞笑。
• Pinyin: Nǐ gāngcái jiǎng de nàge xiàohua zéi gǎoxiào.
• English: That joke you just told was hilarious.
• Analysis: `搞笑 (gǎoxiào)` means “funny” or “amusing.” `贼搞笑` is a common slang phrase for “hilarious” or “super funny.”

• Formality Mismatch: The biggest mistake is using the adverbial `贼` in a formal setting. Do not write `贼好` in an academic essay or say it during a formal business presentation. In those situations, use 非常 (fēicháng) or 特别 (tèbié). `贼` is strictly for casual, informal conversations, texts, and social media.
• Incorrect: `尊敬的客户，我们的新产品质量贼好。` (Respected client, our new product's quality is extremely good.)
• Correct: `尊敬的客户，我们的新产品质量非常好。`
• Confusing `贼 (zéi)` and `小偷 (xiǎotōu)`: For the noun “thief,” `小偷 (xiǎotōu)` is the neutral, everyday word for someone who steals, like a pickpocket. `贼` is a stronger, more loaded term. If you see someone snatch a purse, you would yell `有小偷！(Yǒu xiǎotōu!)` - “There's a thief!” a lot more naturally than `有贼！(Yǒu zéi!)`.
• The Adverbial “False Friend”: The English word “thief” has no positive or intensifying adverbial meaning. You cannot translate “hella good” to “thief good.” This slang evolution is unique to Chinese and must be learned as a separate meaning. Remember the context: if it's before an adjective in a casual chat, it probably means “extremely.”

• 小偷 (xiǎotōu) - The most common word for a “thief,” especially a pickpocket. Less severe and more neutral than `贼`.
• 偷 (tōu) - The verb “to steal.” `贼` is the person, `偷` is the action.
• 强盗 (qiángdào) - A robber, bandit, or pirate. This term implies the use of violence and is more severe than `贼`.
• 骗子 (piànzi) - A swindler, liar, or con artist. A `骗子` uses deception, while a `贼` takes things directly.
• 做贼心虚 (zuòzéi-xīnxū) - A popular idiom meaning “to have a guilty conscience.”
• 贼眉鼠眼 (zéiméi-shǔyǎn) - An idiom describing someone with a shifty, untrustworthy appearance.
• 非常 (fēicháng) - The standard, formal adverb for “very” or “extremely.” The proper equivalent of the adverbial `贼`.
• 特别 (tèbié) - A common adverb meaning “especially” or “particularly,” usable in both formal and informal contexts.
• 叛徒 (pàntú) - A “traitor,” specifically someone who betrays their country, organization, or cause. More specific than the potential “traitor” meaning of `贼`.
• 国贼 (guózéi) - A “traitor to the nation,” a very strong and formal condemnation.