bum
word
/ˈbəm/
buhm
/bˈʌm/
buhm
Definition
A "bum" can mean a person with no home or job, usually in an old-fashioned or insulting way. In informal American English, it can also mean a person's butt.
Usage & Nuances
Be careful: this word is often rude or disrespectful for a person, so learners should avoid using it for homeless people. For the body meaning, it is informal and mostly American; common phrases include 'sit on your bum' and 'lazy bum'.
Spanish: vagabundo - trasero (coloquial)Portuguese (BR): mendigo - bunda (informal)Portuguese (PT): vadio - rabo (informal)Chinese (Simplified): 流浪汉 - 屁股（口语）Chinese (Traditional): 流浪漢 - 屁股（口語）Hindi: भिखारी - पिछवाड़ा (अनौपचारिक)Arabic: متشرّد - مؤخرة (عامية)Bengali: পাছা (ব্যাংগম্য, শরীরের অংশ) - ভবঘুরে (অসম্মানজনক অর্থে)Russian: задница - бродяга (оскорбительно)Japanese: お尻 - ホームレス（侮蔑的）Vietnamese: mông (thân mật, bộ phận cơ thể) - kẻ lang thang (xúc phạm)Korean: 엉덩이 - 부랑자(모욕적)Turkish: popo (samimi, vücut bölgesi) - serseri (aşağılayıcı)Urdu: چوتڑ - آوارہ (توہین آمیز)Indonesian: pantat (tidak formal, bagian tubuh) - gelandangan (kasar)
Example Sentences
He fell on his bum on the ice.
basic
The kids sat on their bums and watched TV.
basic
That old movie calls the man a bum.
basic
I've been sitting on my bum all day—I need a walk.
natural
Get off your bum and help me with these boxes.
natural
Don't call him a bum just because he lost his job.
natural