show off one's cleverness; act cute
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to show off one's cleverness; to act cute or smart; to pretend to be innocent while benefiting
informalOften used in the set phrase '得了便宜还卖乖' (to get a bargain and still act generous/clever). Carries a slightly negative connotation of insincere showboating.
Dé得
le了
pián便
yi宜
hái还
mài卖
guāi乖
，
nǐ你
zhēn真
huì会
shuō说
huà话
。
You got a good deal and still act like you're doing me a favor—you really know how to talk.
Bié别
zài在
zhè这
lǐ里
mài卖
guāi乖
le了
，
shuí谁
bù不
zhī知
dào道
nǐ你
zhàn占
le了
pián便
yi宜
？
Stop showing off here—who doesn't know you got the advantage?
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Tā他
zuì最
huì会
mài卖
guāi乖
，
suǒ所
yǐ以
lǎo老
shī师
zǒng总
shì是
xǐ喜
huan欢
tā他
。
He's best at acting cute and innocent, so the teacher always likes him.