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无理取闹 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
无理取闹wúlǐqǔnàoto make trouble without reason (idiom); to be deliberately provocativeHSK 6, l, 31 strokes, rank #13922, Hard
wúlǐqǔnào(wu2li3qu3nao4)wu li qu nao T2
  1. 1to make trouble without reason (idiom); to be deliberately provocative
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March 24, 2026

无理取闹(無理取鬧)wúlǐqǔnào(wu2li3qu3nao4)

The idiom 无理取闹 (wú lǐ qǔ nà) refers to the act of creating trouble or causing a disturbance without any reasonable basis. It is often used to describe someone who is being unreasonable or provocative in their actions, typically leading to unnecessary conflict or drama in social situations.

Strokes31Frequency#13922DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese society, harmony is often prioritized, and creating unnecessary conflict is viewed negatively. The use of this idiom reflects a cultural disdain for disruptive behavior that disturbs social order.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person waving their arms around wildly without any justification, like a 'troublemaker' suddenly appearing at a calm gathering. The '无' (wú) looks like a person with arms raised in protest, while '理' (lǐ) suggests reason, and '取闹' (qǔ nà) emphasizes the act of causing a ruckus.

Meanings of 无理取闹

wúlǐqǔnào(wu2li3qu3nao4)
1to make trouble without reason (idiom); to be deliberately provocative
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About 无理取闹

无理取闹Simplified
無理取鬧Traditional
31Strokes
—Radical
习用语phrase (phr.)Part of Speech
#13922Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 无理取闹

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AI Study Notes for 无理取闹

Quick Contrast

无理取闹 (wúlǐqǔnào) vs 讲理 (jiǎnglǐ) — choose 无理取闹 when highlighting unreasonable behavior, while 讲理 emphasizes a rational or reasonable approach.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in informal contexts to describe behavior that is unnecessarily disruptive. Be careful not to confuse it with similar phrases that imply justified complaints; ensure you're using it to indicate baseless troublemaking. The tone used can convey sarcasm or frustration.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK level 6 idiom, 无理取闹 connects with other expressions related to conflict and social interactions. Focus on understanding its components and practicing in conversations where you might discuss unreasonable behavior.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 无理取闹 with similar phrases that imply justified grievances, such as 申诉 (shēn sù). For instance, saying '他在无理取闹,实际上是有理由的' (He is causing trouble without reason, but he actually has reasons) is incorrect; instead, one should clarify that the behavior is indeed unreasonable.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 无理取闹

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Idiom Spotlight: 无理取闹

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:without reason take trouble

Component Characters

无wú-less
HSK 44 strokes无
View full entry
理lǐtexture
HSK 611 strokes王
View full entry
取qǔto take
HSK 48 strokes又
View full entry
闹nàonoisy
HSK 58 strokes门
View full entry

How to say to make trouble without reason (idiom); to be deliberately provocative in Chinese

“to make trouble without reason (idiom); to be deliberately provocative” in Chinese is无理取闹wúlǐqǔnào

The idiom 无理取闹 (wú lǐ qǔ nà) refers to the act of creating trouble or causing a disturbance without any reasonable basis. It is often used to describe someone who is being unreasonable or provocative in their actions, typically leading to unnecessary conflict or drama in social situations.

When to use 无理取闹

This idiom is often used in informal contexts to describe behavior that is unnecessarily disruptive. Be careful not to confuse it with similar phrases that imply justified complaints; ensure you're using it to indicate baseless troublemaking. The tone used can convey sarcasm or frustration.

无理取闹 or something close to it

无理取闹 (wúlǐqǔnào) vs 讲理 (jiǎnglǐ) — choose 无理取闹 when highlighting unreasonable behavior, while 讲理 emphasizes a rational or reasonable approach.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 无理取闹 with similar phrases that imply justified grievances, such as 申诉 (shēn sù). For instance, saying '他在无理取闹,实际上是有理由的' (He is causing trouble without reason, but he actually has reasons) is incorrect; instead, one should clarify that the behavior is indeed unreasonable.

Write 无理取闹

无
理
取
闹

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Frequently Asked Questions about 无理取闹

It's best to avoid using 无理取闹 in formal contexts, as it is more suitable for casual conversations.

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