<p>I wouldn't call it commendatory -- It is more like a sarcastic way of describing the accidental luck. I would never say it as I congratulate my friends for winning the championship because I sincerely believe they deserve it. However, if I hear a classmate who does not have very good grades gets into Harvard, I would call this 狗屎运.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-23T23:01:58.507Z
2021-03-23T23:01:58.507Z
Tianyi Sheng
<p>I think others have explained well, I don't have much to add on, but to provide a few examples:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>兒子,你走了狗屎運. Jack,你走了狗屎運 (Joking with families and close friends)</p>
</li>
<li><p>小張走了狗屎運, 中了頭獎. (Envy, jealousy over a third person's luck)</p>
</li>
<li><p>他是什麼料. 成功就靠那點狗屎運. (Contempt)</p>
</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-24T03:52:09.623Z
2021-03-24T03:52:09.623Z
r13
<p>狗屎运 is <strong><em>an accidental luck</em></strong> and some good things you don't expect suddenly come to you. It's fine to use it in informal situations, but it's still a vulgar term.  Sometimes, it can be taken in a funny way, but you should be cautious when you use it in a formal situation. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-02T11:38:04.420Z
2018-11-02T11:38:04.420Z
dan
<p>When we use 狗屎 (dog's excrement) to describe a thing, it is definitely negative. Sometimes it can also appear as a bad word.<br>
Also, 踩到狗屎 is obviously a bad thing.<br>
But, 狗屎运 (good fortune) is used positively.<br>
What causes this difference?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-02T09:38:14.450Z
[Baidu baike](https://baike.baidu.com/item/狗屎运/5231536?fr=aladdin) says `在中国旧社会时期，农村化肥少，大都是用粪便发酵后做肥料的。但是人的粪便往往不足，所以就有了一种现象，就是早上起来捡狗屎。那时狗屎也能卖钱的，而捡了很多狗屎的人就能卖到比较多的钱。` but without a reference.
Kemono Chen
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-02T09:45:29.467Z
Why do you think 狗屎運 is used *positively*? Sure, it refers to fortune and luck, but people don't usually say 狗屎運 in reference to their own luck, but with a slight hint of envy or disapproval to *someone else's* luck. I think the meaning of 狗屎 is quite obvious here.
dROOOze
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-24T03:22:44.323Z
Depending to whom this phrase is direct to, it can be used jokingly between families, close friends; enviably, or contemptibly towards any third person that was not present in the conversation.
r13
<phrase>
Why is 狗屎运 a commendatory term?
# Why is 狗屎运 a commendatory term?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-11-02)

When we use 狗屎 (dog's excrement) to describe a thing, it is definitely negative. Sometimes it can also appear as a bad word.  
Also, 踩到狗屎 is obviously a bad thing.  
But, 狗屎运 (good fortune) is used positively.  
What causes this difference?

**Tags:** phrase
> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: [Baidu baike](https://baike.baidu.com/item/狗屎运/5231536?fr=aladdin) says `在中国旧社会时期，农村化肥少，大都是用粪便发酵后做肥料的。但是人的粪便往往不足，所以就有了一种现象，就是早上起来捡狗屎。那时狗屎也能卖钱的，而捡了很多狗屎的人就能卖到比较多的钱。` but without a reference.  
> **username_1**: Why do you think 狗屎運 is used *positively*? Sure, it refers to fortune and luck, but people don't usually say 狗屎運 in reference to their own luck, but with a slight hint of envy or disapproval to *someone else's* luck. I think the meaning of 狗屎 is quite obvious here.  
> **username_2**: Depending to whom this phrase is direct to, it can be used jokingly between families, close friends; enviably, or contemptibly towards any third person that was not present in the conversation.  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2018-11-02. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

狗屎运 is ***an accidental luck*** and some good things you don't expect suddenly come to you. It's fine to use it in informal situations, but it's still a vulgar term. Sometimes, it can be taken in a funny way, but you should be cautious when you use it in a formal situation.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2021-03-23. Score: 3

I wouldn't call it commendatory -- It is more like a sarcastic way of describing the accidental luck. I would never say it as I congratulate my friends for winning the championship because I sincerely believe they deserve it. However, if I hear a classmate who does not have very good grades gets into Harvard, I would call this 狗屎运.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2021-03-24. Score: 0

I think others have explained well, I don't have much to add on, but to provide a few examples:

* 兒子,你走了狗屎運. Jack,你走了狗屎運 (Joking with families and close friends)
* 小張走了狗屎運, 中了頭獎. (Envy, jealousy over a third person's luck)
* 他是什麼料. 成功就靠那點狗屎運. (Contempt)


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