What’s 250 in Chinese?
In Chinese, 250 isn’t just a number but an idiomatic expression. Idiomatic expressions are referred to as 成語(Chéngyǔ) in Chinese.
Chinese tend to use numbers to describe adjectives or nouns, such as 38 or 三八(Sānbā), whereas using numbers to express idiomatic expressions isn’t as common in English.
What 250 means in Chinese
In Chinese someone might say, “他是個二百五” (Tā shìgè èrbǎiwǔ) literally meaning: “He’s a 250,” which translates into: “He’s a fool.” Now you know 250 is an idiomatic expression in Chinese to call someone an idiot.
But why does “250” mean “fool?”
Origins of 250
It is said that during China’s Warring states period, there was a famous political strategist named Su Qin who was murdered in the Qi state. This displeased the prince of Qi. The prince resolved to avenge Su Qin but was unable to locate his murderer.
The prince of Qi devised a plan to avenge Su Qin by sending his soldiers to cut off Su Qin’s head and hang it over the city gate. Next to Su Qin’s head the prince of Qi had written: “Su Qin is a traitor. The person who killed him may obtain 1,000 taels of gold.”
Not long after, four people arrived before the prince of Qi claiming they were the one who killed Su Qin.
The Prince of Qi asked them, “If you divide 1,000 taels of gold between you, how much will you get each?”
The four of them did not realize that by claiming to have killed Su Qin the prince of Qi would not be rewarding them and instead punishing them for a crime they foolishily took false reponsibility for commiting. Blinded by greed they excitedly replied, “250 each.”
The Prince of Qi said angrily, “Guards, take these four 250s outside and kill them!” And just like that the four of them were made scapegoats and killed. It is said that Su Qin’s true murderer was from the Qin state and had since long fled back to Qin.
Modern Chinese usage of 250
From the proverb of the prince of Qi avenging Su Qin, the word “250” spread. Chinese people often use 250 when making a lighthearted joke to describe a fool or idiot, rather than for sternly scolding people.
Nowadays, a single “2” also has the same meaning. For example: 你怎麼那麼二啊! (Nǐ zěnme nàme èr a!) translates to: “How can you be so 2!” which means “How can you be so stupid!”
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