cause trouble; make mischief; haunt
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to cause trouble; to make mischief; (superstitious) for ghosts or monsters to harm people
Often used in the set phrase 兴妖作怪. Can refer to literal superstitious beliefs about supernatural harm, or metaphorically to sabotage by hidden forces.
Tā他
men们
duǒ躲
zài在
bèi背
hòu后
zuò作
guài怪
，
pò破
huài坏
wǒ我
men们
de的
jì计
huà划
。
They are hiding behind the scenes making trouble, sabotaging our plans.
Bié别
zài在
zhè这
lǐ里
xīng兴
yāo妖
zuò作
guài怪
le了
！
Stop making trouble here!
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Yī一
dìng定
shì是
yǒu有
shén什
me么
dōng东
xi西
zài在
zuò作
guài怪
，
jī机
qì器
cái才
dòng动
bù不
liǎo了
。
Something must be causing trouble; that's why the machine won't move.