trick; mischief; bad idea
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
trick; prank; mischief; evil idea; bad move
dialectA colloquial and dialectal term (primarily northern Chinese) referring to a sudden, often mischievous or troublesome idea. Most frequently appears in the verbal phrase '出幺蛾子' (to pull a trick / to cause unexpected trouble). Can also refer to unexpected malfunctions or complications.
Tā他
jiù就
huì会
chū出
yāo幺
é蛾
zi子
xì戏
nòng弄
rén人
。
He just loves to play tricks to tease people.
Bié别
chū出
yāo幺
é蛾
zi子
le了
，
zhèng正
jīng经
yī一
diǎn点
。
Stop playing pranks and be serious for once.
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Zhè这
tái台
jī机
qì器
jīn今
tiān天
yòu又
chū出
yāo幺
é蛾
zi子
le了
。
This machine is acting up again today.
Nǐ你
nǎo脑
zi子
lǐ里
yòu又
zài在
xiǎng想
shén什
me么
yāo幺
é蛾
zi子
？
What kind of mischief are you cooking up in your head?