Some people think having "Kill" tattooed on them looks tough and rebellious. In Chinese culture, it just looks disturbing and potentially criminal.
The Story
"I thought it looked badass. In China, it looks like a confession."
In Western pop culture, "killer" can be cool. Killer instinct. Lady killer. Dressed to kill. The word has been appropriated into something edgy and attractive.
So some people want 杀 (shā) = "kill/murder" tattooed on their body, thinking it makes them look tough.
In Chinese culture, it makes them look like a dangerous criminal or someone with serious mental issues.
The Cultural Context
In Chinese:
- 杀 (shā) = To kill, to murder, to slaughter
- 杀人 (shā rén) = To kill a person, murder
- 杀手 (shā shǒu) = Killer, assassin
There is no positive connotation to this character. It's associated with:
- Murder and violent crime
- Horror movies
- Mental instability
- Threats and violence
What People Think They're Getting
- "Killer" as in "impressive" – No, that would be 厉害 (lì hai)
- "Killer instinct" – No, that would be 杀手本能 or 必胜心态
- "Badass" – No, that would be 狠角色 or 硬汉
The Reality
Walking around China or any Chinese-speaking area with 杀 tattooed on you is like walking around with "MURDER" written on your forehead. People will:
- Avoid you
- Be concerned about your mental state
- Wonder if you're confessing to a crime
- Not think you're cool
Key Takeaways
- Edgy in one culture can be disturbing in another
- Slang meanings don't translate
- Think about how native speakers will perceive you