Chinese word

搞鬼

Pronunciation

Pinyingǎo guǐ

Meaning

  • verbplay tricks

Example

别在这里搞鬼。bié zài zhè lǐ gáo guǐ

Don't play tricks here.

Illustration for 搞鬼 (play tricks)

More examples

他常常爱搞鬼，让同事们很头疼。tā cháng cháng ài gáo guǐ ràng tóng shì men hěn tóu téng

He often plays tricks, giving his coworkers a headache.

Core concept

Secretive or crafty interference that unsettles or fools other people, ranging from teasing mischief to deliberate troublemaking.

Common phrases

  • 爱搞鬼ài gáo guǐ

    love to play tricks

  • 故意搞鬼gù yì gáo guǐ

    deliberately play tricks

  • 暗地里搞鬼àn dì lǐ gáo guǐ

    secretly play tricks

Similar words

捣乱dǎo luàn: Causing disorder and preventing other people from carrying out their activities.
捉弄zhuō nòng: Making fun of someone in a way that disturbs or troubles them.
恶作剧è zuò jù: Playing a prank intended to surprise or inconvenience someone.

Definition in Chinese

用诡计或恶作剧捉弄别人，可能是开玩笑也可能带有恶意。yòng guǐ jì huò è zuò jù zhuō nòng bié rén kě néng shì kāi wán xiào yě kě néng dài yǒu è yì

Word origin

搞 (gǎo, "do or meddle with") + 鬼 (guǐ, "ghost") creates an image of meddling in a shadowy, suspicious way.

Usage tips

  • Among friends, a light tone can soften this expression, but a serious tone can make it sound like an accusation of dishonest behavior.

Other meanings

  • mess aroundverb
  • make mischiefverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word