instigate; sow discord; tease; toy with
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to instigate; to sow discord; to stir up trouble
Often used in the set phrase 挑弄是非 (to sow discord). Carries a negative connotation of deliberately causing conflict between others.
Tā他
zhuān专
hǎo好
zài在
tóng同
shì事
zhī之
jiān间
tiǎo挑
nòng弄
shì是
fēi非
。
He specializes in sowing discord among his colleagues.
Nà那
xiē些
yáo谣
yán言
dōu都
shì是
yǒu有
rén人
gù故
yì意
tiǎo挑
nòng弄
chū出
lái来
de的
。
Those rumors were all deliberately stirred up by someone.
verb
to tease; to toy with; to provoke playfully
Implies a playful or provocative attitude, often with a hint of mischief or flirtation. Can be used for physical teasing or verbal banter.
Nà那
zhī只
xiǎo小
māo猫
zǒng总
ài爱
tiǎo挑
nòng弄
dì地
shàng上
de的
máo毛
xiàn线
qiú球
。
That kitten always loves to toy with the ball of yarn on the floor.
Tā他
xǐ喜
huān欢
tiǎo挑
nòng弄
xīn新
lái来
de的
tóng同
shì事
，
kàn看
rén人
jiā家
hài害
xiū羞
de的
yàng样
zi子
。
He likes to tease the new colleagues, watching them get embarrassed.
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Bié别
tiǎo挑
nòng弄
nà那
zhī只
gǒu狗
，
tā它
huì会
yǎo咬
rén人
de的
。
Don't provoke that dog; it will bite.