cunning; crafty; tricky
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesadjective
cunning; crafty; sly; tricky
derogatoryDescribes a person who is deceitful, shrewd, and often uses underhanded methods to achieve their goals. It implies a negative moral judgment.
Zhè这
ge个
rén人
fēi非
cháng常
diāo刁
zuān钻
，
zǒng总
xiǎng想
zhàn占
bié别
ren人
pián便
yi宜
。
This person is very cunning and always tries to take advantage of others.
Tā他
yòng用
diāo刁
zuān钻
de的
shǒu手
duàn段
yíng赢
dé得
le了
bǐ比
sài赛
，
dàn但
méi没
rén人
pèi佩
fú服
tā他
。
He won the match using crafty tactics, but no one admires him for it.
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Zhè这
wèn问
tí题
tí提
de得
hěn很
diāo刁
zuān钻
，
bǎ把
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
nán难
zhù住
le了
。
The question was posed in a very tricky way, stumping everyone.
adjective
odd; peculiar; eccentric
informalAs in the phrase '刁钻古怪' (diāozuān gǔguài), describing something or someone with a peculiar, strange, or unconventional temperament or behavior.
Tā他
xìng性
gé格
diāo刁
zuān钻
gǔ古
guài怪
，
hěn很
nán难
xiāng相
chǔ处
。
He has an odd and eccentric personality and is difficult to get along with.
Tā她
shè设
jì计
chū出
lái来
de的
dōng东
xi西
zǒng总
shì是
yǒu有
xiē些
diāo刁
zuān钻
gǔ古
guài怪
。
The things she designs are always a bit peculiar and unconventional.