可爱鬼
kě'ài guǐ
The Chinese word for cutie is 可爱鬼 (kě'ài guǐ).
可爱鬼 is a colloquial noun used to describe someone who is being playfully cute or mischievous.
Meaning: cute person or animal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 可爱 (kě'ài), meaning 'cute' and 鬼 (guǐ), meaning 'ghost' or 'devil'.
Which one should you use?
While 可爱 (kě'ài) is a standard adjective meaning 'cute', adding 鬼 (guǐ) transforms the adjective into a noun used for endearment.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, different terms are used: 靚仔 (lèuhng jái) is used to refer to a cute or handsome boy and 靚女 (lèuhng lóuh) is used to address a cute or beautiful girl.
How do you pronounce it?
kě'ài guǐ
Did you know?
- While 可爱鬼 is used for people, the term 萌 (méng) is often used to describe 'cuteness' in anime or pet culture, originating from Japanese 'moe'.
- The character 爱 (ài) in 可爱 means 'love', making the literal construction of the word 'able to be loved' rather than just 'cute'.
- If you use 可爱鬼 to describe a child, you are highlighting their 'lovable naughtiness'. It implies the person is cute specifically because they are being a little bit troublesome.
Examples in context
- 那只小猫真是个可爱鬼。Nà zhī xiǎomāo zhēnshì gè kě'àiguǐ.That little kitten is such a cutie.
- 别理那个可爱鬼。Bié lǐ nàgè kě'àiguǐ.Don't pay attention to that cutie.
- 你真是个可爱鬼。Nǐ zhēnshì gè kě'àiguǐ.You are such a cutie.
Example conversation
A couple is looking at a video of a puppy online.
- 俊杰 Junjie你看这个小狗，真是个可爱鬼。Nǐ kàn zhège xiǎogǒu, zhēnshì gè kě'àiguǐ.Look at this puppy, it's such a cutie.
- 梓涵 Zihan俊杰，我也觉得它很可爱。Jùnjié, wǒ yě juédé tā hěn kě'ài.Junjie, I think it's very cute too.
- 俊杰 Junjie梓涵，你想养一只吗？Zǐhán, nǐ xiǎng yǎng yī zhī ma?Zihan, do you want to raise one?
- 梓涵 Zihan好啊，它一定会很乖。Hǎo a, tā yīdìng huì hěn guāi.Sure, it will definitely be very well-behaved.
