Meaning:

    Literally meaning a “green hat,” this is a symbol of a cuckold in the Chinese culture. While the English word “cuckold” alludes to female cuckoos who lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, the Chinese term dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). The Mongolian rulers stipulated that prostitutes should wear purple outfits and men working in brothels must don green hats to distinguish them from other folks. Therefore, being given a “green hat” is a terrible insult to a Chinese man.

    Example:

    A: 小王最近怎么垂头丧气的？

    Xiǎowáng zuìjìn zěnme chuítóusàngqì de?

    Why is Xiao Wang down in the dumps lately?

    B: 听说他被戴绿帽了。

    Tīngshuō tā bèi dài lǜmào le。

    I heard that his wife cheated on him.

    A: 这种事情还是不讨论算了。

    Zhèzhǒng shìqíng háishì bù tǎolùn suàn le。

    We’d better drop the gossip and talk about something else.