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March 24, 2026
搞鬼()gǎoguǐ(gao3gui3)
The phrase 搞鬼 (gǎo guǐ) means to engage in mischief or to play tricks on someone. It is often used in informal contexts to describe actions that are playful, sneaky, or deceitful, typically with a humorous undertone.
Frequency#12475DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of ghosts and spirits is prevalent, often associated with playful or mischievous behavior during festivals like the Ghost Festival, where spirits are said to roam freely.
Memory Tip
Imagine a ghost (鬼, guǐ) dancing around while someone is trying to study. The ghost is making trouble (搞, gǎo) by distracting them. This imagery helps connect the character for mischief with the idea of a ghost causing playful trouble.
Meanings of 搞鬼
gǎoguǐ(gao3gui3)
1to make mischief
2to play tricks
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About 搞鬼
搞鬼Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 搞鬼
Podcast: 搞鬼
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AI Study Notes for 搞鬼
Quick Contrast
搞恶作剧 (gǎo èzuòjù) - use 搞鬼 for playful mischief, while 搞恶作剧 is more specific to pranks.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a ghost (鬼, guǐ) dancing around while someone is trying to study. The ghost is making trouble (搞, gǎo) by distracting them. This imagery helps connect the character for mischief with the idea of a ghost causing playful trouble.
Usage Notes
This term is informal and may not be appropriate in formal settings. Be cautious of using it in serious discussions. Common collocations include 搞鬼的行为 (gǎo guǐ de xíngwéi) meaning 'mischievous behavior'.
HSK Study Tips
While 搞鬼 is not an official HSK word, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to actions (like 做, zuò) and behavior (like 行为, xíngwéi). Focus on understanding the playful context and practicing in conversational settings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of ghosts and spirits is prevalent, often associated with playful or mischievous behavior during festivals like the Ghost Festival, where spirits are said to roam freely.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 搞鬼 with serious wrongdoing. For example, saying '他在搞鬼' (Tā zài gǎo guǐ) to accuse someone of criminal behavior is incorrect; it should be used for playful mischief.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 搞鬼
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Cultural Notes for 搞鬼
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of ghosts and spirits is prevalent, often associated with playful or mischievous behavior during festivals like the Ghost Festival, where spirits are said to roam freely.
Frequently Asked Questions about 搞鬼
Not necessarily; it can imply playful mischief rather than serious wrongdoing.
Yes, it is often used in the context of lighthearted pranks or tricks.
You might also hear 调皮 (tiáopí), which means naughty or mischievous.
