When combined, 低俗 (dīsú) literally means “low and common.” The term carries the strong implication that something is not just common, but of a low quality, beneath a standard of cultural or moral decency.
The term `低俗` holds significant weight in modern Chinese society, particularly in the realm of media and public morality. It's more than just a casual insult; it's a tool for social and political regulation. In China, the government, through bodies like the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), frequently launches campaigns to “clean up the internet” by removing `低俗` content. This is framed as a necessary action to protect minors and uphold “Core Socialist Values.” What falls under the `低俗` umbrella is broad and can include:
This contrasts with the Western concept of “tacky” or “low-brow.” In the West, calling a reality TV show “tacky” is a matter of personal aesthetic judgment. It rarely leads to official government action. In China, however, a show being labeled `低俗` by the public and authorities can lead to it being fined, reprimanded, or pulled off the air entirely. Therefore, `低俗` operates not just as an aesthetic descriptor but as a powerful moral and political judgment with real-world consequences.
`低俗` is a versatile word used in various situations, from formal government decrees to informal chats between friends. 1. Official Censorship and Media Regulation: This is its most serious usage. News reports and government announcements will state that they are cracking down on `低俗` livestreams, online games, or short videos to “purify the cultural environment.” 2. Art and Media Criticism: Both professional critics and ordinary people use `低俗` to critique creative works. A movie might be called `低俗` if it relies on cheap gags and sensationalism instead of a good story. 3. Everyday Social Judgment: In daily conversation, it's used to criticize behavior or expression. If someone tells an inappropriate joke at a family dinner, another person might mutter, “太低俗了” (That's so crude). It can also be applied to fashion choices or home decor that are considered gaudy or tasteless. Connotation: `低俗` is almost exclusively negative. It is a word of criticism, judgment, and disapproval.
Example 1: 这个笑话太低俗了，别在孩子面前说。 Pinyin: Zhège xiàohuà tài dīsú le, bié zài háizi miànqián shuō. English: This joke is too vulgar, don't say it in front of the children. Analysis: A common, everyday use of `低俗` to criticize inappropriate humor. It implies the joke is crude and not suitable for a general audience. Example 2: 很多观众抱怨那个电视节目内容低俗，充满了不雅的语言。 Pinyin: Hěnduō guānzhòng bàoyuàn nàge diànshì jiémù nèiróng dīsú, chōngmǎnle bùyǎ de yǔyán. English: Many viewers complained that the TV show's content was vulgar, filled with indecent language. Analysis: This shows how `低俗` is used in media criticism. “Indecent language” (不雅的语言) is given as a reason for why the show is considered `低俗`. Example 3: 网络监管机构正在打击低俗内容，以净化网络环境。 Pinyin: Wǎngluò jiānguǎn jīgòu zhèngzài dǎjī dīsú nèiróng, yǐ jìnghuà wǎngluò huánjìng. English: The internet regulatory authorities are cracking down on vulgar content to purify the online environment. Analysis: This is a formal, official usage. It demonstrates the term's role in government censorship and policy. Example 4: 他在派对上的行为很低俗，让大家都很尴尬。 Pinyin: Tā zài pàiduì shàng de xíngwéi hěn dīsú, ràng dàjiā dōu hěn gāngà. English: His behavior at the party was very low-class, making everyone feel awkward. Analysis: Here, `低俗` describes behavior, not content. It suggests the person was acting crudely, perhaps by being too loud, telling off-color jokes, or having poor manners. Example 5: 一些批评家认为他的艺术作品只是为了博眼球，品味低俗。 Pinyin: Yīxiē pīpíngjiā rènwéi tā de yìshù zuòpǐn zhǐshì wèile bó yǎnqiú, pǐnwèi dīsú. English: Some critics believe his artwork is just to attract attention and is in poor taste. Analysis: `品味低俗` (pǐnwèi dīsú) is a common collocation meaning “(to have) poor taste.” This example applies it to art criticism. Example 6: 比起高雅音乐，他更喜欢那些被认为是低俗的流行歌曲。 Pinyin: Bǐqǐ gāoyǎ yīnyuè, tā gèng xǐhuān nàxiē bèi rènwéi shì dīsú de liúxíng gēqǔ. English: Compared to classical music, he prefers those pop songs that are considered low-brow. Analysis: This sentence sets up a direct contrast between `高雅` (gāoyǎ - elegant) and `低俗`, a very common pairing. Example 7: 政府发布新规，旨在遏制低俗网络直播的蔓延。 Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ fābù xīnguī, zhǐ zài èzhì dīsú wǎngluò zhíbò de mànyán. English: The government issued new regulations aimed at curbing the spread of vulgar online live-streaming. Analysis: Another example of the term's formal, political usage. It shows `低俗` as a problem to be “curbed” (遏制). Example 8: 不要用这么低俗的手段去竞争。 Pinyin: Búyào yòng zhème dīsú de shǒuduàn qù jìngzhēng. English: Don't use such low-class tactics to compete. Analysis: `低俗` can also describe methods or tactics, implying they are cheap, unethical, or underhanded. Example 9: 我承认我的品味有点低俗，就喜欢看这种无脑喜剧。 Pinyin: Wǒ chéngrèn wǒ de pǐnwèi yǒudiǎn dīsú, jiù xǐhuān kàn zhè zhǒng wú nǎo xǐjù. English: I admit my taste is a bit low-brow; I just like watching these kinds of brainless comedies. Analysis: A rare but possible use in a self-deprecating or humorous way. The speaker is acknowledging that their preference might not be considered “high culture.” Example 10: 这种低俗的广告只会损害品牌形象。 Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng dīsú de guǎnggào zhǐ huì sǔnhài pǐnpái xíngxiàng. English: This kind of vulgar advertising will only damage the brand's image. Analysis: `低俗` is frequently used to describe marketing or advertising that is seen as tasteless or overly sensational.
`低俗` is not always “Obscene.” A crucial mistake for learners is to equate `低俗` with the English word “obscene” or the Chinese word for pornography, `色情 (sèqíng)`.
For example, a slapstick comedy full of fart jokes and people slipping on banana peels could be called `低俗` because it's unsophisticated, but it is not `色情`. A livestreamer begging for money in an annoying way could be called `低俗`, but it has nothing to do with sex. `低俗` is about a lack of taste, refinement, or class. Incorrect Usage: