Chinese word

耍

Pronunciation

Pinyinshuǎ

Meaning

  • verbfool around

Example

别耍了，认真说话。bié shuǎ le rèn zhēn shuō huà

Stop fooling around and talk seriously.

Illustration for 耍 (fool around)

More examples

他在会议上总是耍嘴皮子，没人把他的话当真。tā zài huì yì shàng zǒng shì shuá zuǐ pí zi méi rén bǎ tā de huà dàng zhēn

At meetings, he is always talking glibly, and no one takes what he says seriously.

Core concept

Playfully handles or displays something, often for amusement rather than a practical purpose.

Common phrases

  • 耍手机shuǎ shǒu jī

    fiddle with one's phone

  • 耍嘴皮子shuá zuǐ pí zi

    talk glibly

  • 耍花样shuǎ huā yàng

    play tricks

Similar words

玩wán: Play and enjoy oneself without a serious purpose.
摆弄bǎi nòng: Fiddle with an object by handling it and moving or changing its position.
捉弄zhuō nòng: Tease someone in a way that makes them uncomfortable for amusement.
开玩笑kāi wán xiào: Tell jokes to make people laugh or ease the mood.

Definition in Chinese

玩耍、摆弄东西或表演技巧以取乐，也可指用小技巧打发时间或卖弄wán shuǎ bǎi nòng dōng xī huò biáo yǎn jì qiǎo yǐ qǔ lè yě kě zhǐ yòng xiǎo jì qiǎo dǎ fā shí jiān huò mài nòng

Word origin

耍 (shuǎ, "to fool around") centers on playful handling or display, extending from playing with things to performing skills and using clever little tactics.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, the verb can sound mildly critical when it describes wasted effort or showing off, so the surrounding context determines whether the tone is light or reproachful.

Other meanings

  • teaseverb
  • playverb

Related words

  • 耍弄shuǎ nòngtoy withverb
  • 耍贫嘴shuǎ pín zuǐjoke aroundverb

Word lists with this word