3.11.

2017 How to Use Swear Words in English – RealLife English

(https://reallifeglobal.com)

How to Use Swear Words in English

By Chad (https://reallifeglobal.com/author/chad/) | | 33  (https://reallifeglobal.com/how-to-use-swear-words-in-english/#comments)

Are you scared of swear words? Are you unsure of when to use them? It’s good to be cautious, because it’s
delicate issue (https://reallifeglobal.com/swear-words/).

Swear words can be one of the most difficult parts of a language to master, as you have to be careful when
practicing them. Some people may get really offended by their use.

But even if you don’t want to use swear words, you still need to understand them as they are quite common in
the English language. You may not say them, but you still want to understand what’s going on during TV, a
movie, a book, a conversation or any other type of English you may be trying to understand.

FREE E-Book on Slang: 101 Words You Won’t Learn in

School (https://reallifeglobal.com/101-words-landing)
Listen to INTRO

00:00 00:00

Why Use Swear Words?

Swear words, love them or hate them, are an integral part of a language. To master fluency, you must master swear words.

But why do people use them? What’s the point?

When you use swear words, they allow you to convey emotion that would otherwise not be as easy to communicate. Swear words increase your vocabulary and
give you a wider range of emotions to invoke than if you didn’t use any.

Some swear words are extremely versatile and can be used in many different ways. When you begin to overcome your negative gut-reaction, you may start to see
the beauty in all of these amazing swear words.

Of course, it’s important not to overuse swear words, just like you wouldn’t want to overuse any word. However, because some swear words are so interchangeable,
it can become easy to just rely on a few swear words as the majority of your vocabulary.

The most important lesson to take home from swear words is to just notice how they make you react and ask yourself why these feelings arise inside you.

Below is a list of the nine most common swear words in English with the many different ways in which they are used.

It’s important that when you practice swear words that you do it with close friends who can help guide you towards the proper time and place to use them. But when
in doubt, use them with people who are near your age.

NOTE: PG stands for Parental Guidance, meaning it’s appropriate for all ages. It’s used in movies as a rating of who should see the movie. The PG tag will help you
convey the same meaning without vulgar.

Translating Swear Words

It’s almost impossible to translate swear words, because they are so colloquial and unique to the culture. However, we will do our best to help you understand the
words in relation to Portuguese. If you have any suggestions or better translations please feel free to let us know in the comments!

1. How to Use DAMN

Listen to Part 1 (DAMN)

00:00 00:00

A light swear word, can be said on TV and radio. Damn means to condemn (a person) to suffer eternal punishment in hell, but is more commonly used when
expressing surprise or disgust.

PG version – darn

Different Uses

God Dammit: To express pain, sadness or anger.

“God dammit / damn / dammit“

Damn You: To express that you are upset with another person.

“Hey man, I lost your phone.”

“Damn you (to hell!)“

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3.11.2017 How to Use Swear Words in English – RealLife English
“Daaaam”: Expression of awe or wonder.

‘Woah, check out the sunrise.”

“Daaaaamn.”

Damn: Expression of dismay or disappointment.

“I can’t find my keys.”

“Damn….”

To Give a Damn: To express how little you care.

“Hey, what do you want for dinner?”

“I don’t give a damn.” (non-vulgar: I don’t give a care)

Damn Well: Expressing agreement and encouraging action.

“I think I’m gonna call her today.”

“You damn well (better)!”

Damn (Adj): To add a feeling of stigma/negativity to a noun.

“That damn teacher gave us a ton of homework.”

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2. How to Use HELL

Listen to Part 2 (HELL)

00:00 00:00

Another light swear word, can be said on TV. Hell is a spiritual realm of evil and suffering, often described as a place of perpetual fire beneath the earth where the
evil people go to be punished after death.

PG version – heck

Different Uses

When Hell Freezes Over: To express how unlikely it is for an event to occur.

“Hey man, do you think Julia will go out with me?”

“Yeah, when Hell freezes over.” or “You got a snowball’s chance in Hell.”

Go to Hell: Expression of anger.

“I want to break up with you.”

“Go to Hell!”

To Hell with it: It’s not important.

“I can’t find my car keys”

“To hell with it, I’m going to walk”

Hell Yeah: Used as emphasis for yes/no questions.

“Do you want to live in another country?

“Hell yeah!” (non-vulgar: heck yeah)

3. How to Use ASS

Listen to Part 3 (ASS)

00:00 00:00

Ass can be said on TV, but asshole cannot. Ass is another word for buttocks or anus, but is commonly used to describe someone who’s rude or mean. Can also be
used to refer to a donkey or mule (burro) in a non-vulgar way.

PG version – butt

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3.11.2017 How to Use Swear Words in English – RealLife English
Different Uses

Make an Ass: To make oneself look foolish.

“Did you see Johnny pick his nose on TV?

“Yeah, he made an ass out of himself.”

My Ass: No way / yeah right / I don’t believe you.

“Yeah so guess who I met yesterday.”

“Who?”
“Ethan, from RealLife English.”
“My ass!”

Asshole: A stupid, mean, or despicable person (usually a guy)

“That dude just knocked my papers out of my hands and didn’t stop to help or even apologize!”
“What an ass(hole).”

Ass-load: A lot / Quite a bit

“There was an ass-load of people there last night.”

Badass (1): A person who shows supreme confidence, nearly divine ability, and a frequent disregard for authority.

“Damn, Chad is one tough, bad ass.”

Badass (2): Another way to say cool.

“That movie was bad ass!”

Kiss my Ass: A sarcastic insult to anyone who wants something from you.

“Hey you! Get back here!”

“Kiss my ass.“

Ass (Adj): Is also used as an adjective amplifier:

“Dude, check out those hot ass bitches!”

“Damn, look at those ugly ass teeth!”
“Get ready for this hard ass test!”

Recommended: 34 Ways to Use the Word Ass (https://reallifeglobal.com/ass/)

4. How to Use PISS

Listen to Part 4 (PISS)

00:00 00:00

Piss is a vulgar term for pee or urine.

PG version – urinate

Different Uses

Pissed: Used to describe anger.

“I’m pissed off!“

Pissed: Another word for drunk (used in British English, not American).

“He was pissed last night.”

Piss Off: To express you want to be left alone.

“Hey, you want some help?”

“Piss off.“

Piss Down Rain: To show how hard it’s raining.

“It’s pissing down rain” (Check out the video 5 ways to say it’s raining below)

5 Ways to Say "It's Raining"

Suggested: 30 Uses of the Word PISS (https://reallifeglobal.com/piss-british-american/)

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3.11.2017 How to Use Swear Words in English – RealLife English

5. How to Use BITCH

Listen to Part 5 (BITCH)

00:00 00:00

Bitch can mean someone who whines and complains a lot or someone who’s angry (usually in regards to a woman).

PG Version – bitch literally means female dog.

Different Uses

To Bitch: To whine or complain.

“These pants are too big, mosquitos keep bitting me, I don’t like this place.”
“Hey, stop your bitching.”

My/ Your/ His Bitch = Servant

“You’re the boss’s little bitch aren’t you?”

Bitch Out: To yell and criticize.

“My wife just bitched me out over the phone.”

Bitchin’: Cool / Fun

“Dude, the party was bitchin’ last night!

Something is a Bitch: to be Difficult

“Life’s a bitch.”

Bitch Please: As a response to a stupid comment.

“Give me $20.”
“Bitch please.”

To Ride Bitch: The middle seat in a car.

“Hey Jim, you’ve got to ride bitch because you’re the smallest.”

Bitch Slap: To slap someone with the back of your hand.

“Did you see that?! She just got bitched slapped!”

Recommended: The Essential Guide to the Word BITCH (https://reallifeglobal.com/btch-please-how-to-use-the-word-bitch-correctly)

6. How to Use COCK / DICK

Listen to Part 6 (COCK/ DICK)

00:00 00:00

Cock can also mean a male chicken (rooster), though it it’s not as common to use it this way. The most common use of cock for rooster is where two roosters fight
each other, called cock fights.

Dick can be used to mean penis too, but it’s also short for the name Richard. I have no idea how they got that..

PG version – penis

Different Uses

Cock Block: To deny someone an opportunity to hook up with a girl.

“Dude, that girl just grabbed her friend and took her away from.”
“What a cock block.”

Dick: A mean or selfish person.

“That dick took up two parking spots.”

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