Cool MateThat's fucked up vs That's unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That's fucked up
VulgarTop 2,000 (common)
That's unbelievable
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: That's unbelievable
| That's fucked up | That's unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts fʌkt ʌp//🇺🇸 //ðæts fʌkt ʌp// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˌʌnˈbiːləvəbl//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˌʌnˈbiːləvəbəl// |
| Meaning | It means something is very wrong or unfair. | It's hard to believe; it's shocking. |
| Example | When I heard they fired her for no reason, I thought, 'That's fucked up.' | When she won the lottery, I thought, 'That's unbelievable!' |
| Register | Vulgar | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | say that's fucked up, think that's fucked up, feel that's fucked up | That's unbelievable news, That's unbelievable behavior, That's unbelievable luck |
| Common mistakes | Using in a formal context, which can be inappropriate., Confusing with lighter expressions of discontent., Not understanding the strong emotion behind the phrase. | Used in negative situations instead of positive ones., Saying 'This is unbelievable' instead of 'That's unbelievable' in conversations., Confusing with 'That's incredible' which has a more positive connotation. |
| Usage notes | Use in informal conversations to express strong disapproval or disbelief. Avoid in formal settings. | Commonly used in casual conversation to express surprise or disbelief. Avoid in overly formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: That's fucked up vs That's unbelievable
What's the difference between That's fucked up and That's unbelievable?
That's fucked up: It means something is very wrong or unfair. That's unbelievable: It's hard to believe; it's shocking.
Which is more formal: That's fucked up and That's unbelievable?
That's unbelievable is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
That's fucked up: When I heard they fired her for no reason, I thought, 'That's fucked up.' That's unbelievable: When she won the lottery, I thought, 'That's unbelievable!'
Can I use That's fucked up and That's unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. That's fucked up and That's unbelievable are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.