恶作剧
èzuòjù
The English word "mischief" is translated into Mandarin as 恶作剧 (èzuòjù).
恶作剧 refers to a prank or a piece of mischief. It is commonly used with the verb 做 (zuò, to do) to form the phrase 做恶作剧, which means "to play a prank" or "to do mischief". While 恶作剧 focuses on the prank itself, you might use other terms to describe different types of behavior: 调皮 (tiáo pí) describes playful or cheeky behavior in both children and adults and 捣蛋 (dǎo dàn) means "to make trouble," emphasizing more disruptive actions.
Meaning: conduct that playfully causes petty annoyance (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 恶作剧 literally translates to a "badly made play" or a "bad prank". It is composed of 恶 (è, bad/evil), 作 (zuò, to do/make) and 剧 (jù, play/drama).
Which one should you use?
While 恶作剧 is the standard term for a prank, the slang term 恶搞 (ègǎo) is often used in the context of internet culture to describe parodying or spoofing content for comedic effect.
How do you pronounce it?
èzuòjù
Did you know?
- If a child is being 'mischievous' in a way that is actually troublesome or bothersome, people will use 捣蛋 (dǎo dàn), which literally means 'to smash eggs'.
- In Chinese culture, describing a child as 调皮 is often seen as a compliment to their intelligence and vitality rather than a pure criticism.
- The term 调皮 (tiáo pí) uses the character for 'skin' (pí), but it is used to describe someone who is 'cheeky' or 'playful' rather than anything involving physical touch.
Examples in context
- 孩子们经常胡闹，但通常没有恶意Children often engage in mischief, but usually without ill intentions.
- 那个男孩特别淘气，经常惹麻烦That boy is particularly mischievous, he often gets into trouble.
- 他是一个非常调皮的孩子He is a very naughty child.
- 别捣蛋了，我们需要集中注意力Stop making trouble, we need to focus.
- 他总是喜欢做恶作剧。Tā zǒngshì xǐhuān zuò èzuòjù.He always likes to play pranks.
- 这只是个小恶作剧。Zhè zhǐshì gè xiǎo èzuòjù.This is just a small prank.
- 别做这种恶作剧。Bié zuò zhè zhǒng èzuòjù.Don't play that kind of prank.
Example conversation
志强 is teasing 欣怡 after a small trick.
- 欣怡 Xinyi你又在做恶作剧了吗？Nǐ yòu zài zuò èzuòjù le ma?Are you playing pranks again?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我只是想逗逗你。Wǒ zhǐshì xiǎng dòu dòu nǐ.I just wanted to tease you.
- 欣怡 Xinyi这种恶作剧真烦人。Zhè zhǒng èzuòjù zhēn fánrén.This kind of prank is really annoying.
- 志强 Zhiqiang对不起，下次不会了。Duìbùqǐ, xià cì bú huì le.Sorry, I won't do it next time.
