Chinese word

乖

Pronunciation

Pinyinguāi

Meaning

  • adjectivewell-behaved

Example

孩子很乖。hái zi hěn guāi

The child is very well-behaved.

Illustration for 乖 (well-behaved)

More examples

小猫很乖，会自己吃饭。xiǎo māo hěn guāi huì zì jǐ chī fàn

The kitten is very well-behaved and can eat by itself.

Core concept

Staying within expected bounds while responding calmly and properly to guidance.

Common phrases

  • 很乖hěn guāi

    very well-behaved

  • 乖的孩子guāi de hái zi

    well-behaved child

  • 不太乖bú tài guāi

    not very well-behaved

Similar words

听话tīng huà: Following what someone says or asks and accepting guidance readily.
乖巧guāi qiǎo: Behaving obediently in a sweet, appealing, and easy-to-manage way.
温顺wēn shùn: Having a gentle nature and yielding calmly without starting conflict.
文静wén jìng: Being quiet and calm in speech and manner.

Definition in Chinese

形容行为听话、顺从，常用以称赞儿童或宠物举止安静懂事。xíng róng xíng wéi tīng huà shùn cóng cháng yòng yǐ chēng zàn ér tóng huò chǒng wù jú zhǐ ān jìng dǒng shì

Word origin

The older sense of 乖 (guāi, "to go against") referred to departing from what was expected, while later everyday use turned the idea toward a child or pet that behaves as expected.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, this praise is common for children and pets, but applying it to an adult can sound patronizing or diminish the person's independence.

Other meanings

  • cooperativeadjective
  • obedientadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word