Japanese · Insults
クズ
kuzu
KOO-zoo · /kɯ̥zɯ/
Scumbag / human garbage / trash
3/5 Watch your audience
genuinely rude; friends only, never at work
Literally
"scrap / rubbish / dregs"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
"Scrap/waste," used of a person whose character is trash — a cheater, a deadbeat, someone who betrayed you. Heavier than baka because it's about who you ARE, not a passing mistake. Hugely common in dramas and online flame wars. The fuller "ningen no kuzu" (garbage of a human being) is the deluxe version.
Heard in the wild
二股かけるとか、マジでクズ。
Two-timing people — you're genuinely trash.
Where it lands
Nationwide
Quick answers
- What does "クズ" mean?
- In Japanese, "クズ" means "Scumbag / human garbage / trash". Literally it's "scrap / rubbish / dregs". "Scrap/waste," used of a person whose character is trash — a cheater, a deadbeat, someone who betrayed you. Heavier than baka because it's about who you ARE, not a passing mistake. Hugely common in dramas and online flame wars. The fuller "ningen no kuzu" (garbage of a human being) is the deluxe version.
- Is "クズ" offensive?
- It's genuinely rude — a 3/5 (Watch your audience) on the Punch-o-Meter. Fine among friends, never at work or with people you've just met.
- How do you pronounce "クズ"?
- Say it "KOO-zoo" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: kɯ̥zɯ.
Related in Japanese
ばか baka BAH-kah Idiot / dummy / stupid あほ aho AH-ho Idiot / dummy (Kansai flavor — often affectionate) 馬鹿野郎 baka-yarō BAH-kah yah-ROH You stupid bastard / you goddamn idiot クソ野郎 kuso-yarō KOO-so yah-ROH Piece of shit / shitty bastard この野郎 kono-yarō KO-no yah-ROH Why you...! / you little...! ブス busu BOO-soo Ugly woman / dog
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