恶作剧
èzuòjù
The English word "prank" is translated into Chinese as 恶作剧 (èzuòjù).
恶作剧 is the standard term for a practical joke or a mischievous trick. It is commonly used in specific contexts such as 恶作剧电话 (prank calls) or 恶作剧视频 (prank videos).
Meaning: practical joke or mischievous trick (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 恶作剧 is the standard noun, the phrase 闹着玩 is an informal way to describe the act of playing around or engaging in pranks.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 恶作剧 is versatile and can also function as a verb, meaning "to play a prank".
How do you pronounce it?
èzuòjù
Did you know?
- The character 恶 in 恶作剧 is the same one used for 'evil' or 'wicked', implying that even a minor prank is linguistically viewed as a slightly naughty or bad deed.
- The character 剧 in 恶作剧 is the same one used for 'drama' or 'play', implying that a prank is viewed as a miniature theatrical performance.
- In modern digital spaces like online gaming, Chinese youth often bypass the traditional 恶作剧 in favor of using the English loanwords 'prank' or 'troll'.
Examples in context
- 这只是一个恶作剧。This is just a prank.
- 这是一个恶作剧。Zhè shì yīgè èzuòjù.This is a prank.
- 他喜欢玩恶作剧。Tā xǐhuān wán èzuòjù.He likes playing pranks.
- 那个恶作剧太无聊了。Nàgè èzuòjù tài wúliáo le.That prank was too boring.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking after a surprise trick.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你吓到我了！Zhìqiáng, nǐ xià dào wǒ le!Zhiqiang, you scared me!
- 志强 Zhiqiang哈哈，这只是个恶作剧。Hāhā, zhè zhǐshì gè èzuòjù.Haha, it was just a prank.
- 雨婷 Yuting你真的太调皮了。Nǐ zhēnde tài tiáopí le.You are really too mischievous.
- 志强 Zhiqiang不过你现在心情好点了吗？Búguò nǐ xiànzài xīnqíng hǎo diǎn le ma?But are you feeling better now?
