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乐子 (lè zi) — fun, amusement (colloquial); awkward predicament, laughingstock (colloquial)

Definition

Colloquial noun covering two opposite moods: 'fun' (something to enjoy) and 'laughingstock' (someone to mock). The meaning flips with context — 找乐子 means 'have fun'; 闹出乐子 means 'make a fool of oneself'.

noun
funamusement (colloquial)awkward predicamentlaughingstock (colloquial)

Examples

  • 乐子。
    Dà jiā zài yì qǐ jiù shì yào zhǎo diǎn r lè zi.
    When we're together, it's all about having some fun.
  • ，乐子。
    Tā hē duō le, nào chū le yí gè dà lè zi.
    He drank too much and caused a big awkward scene.
  • 乐子，。
    Bié ná wǒ dāng lè zi, wǒ kě shì rèn zhēn de.
    Don't make me a laughingstock — I'm serious.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

乐lèjoy
子zǐsuffix

乐 gives joy, and 子 completes the familiar form.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 樂; 乐 is its simplified writing.

In the traditional form 樂, 絲 (string) with 木 (wood) shows strings on a piece of wood, a musical instrument; the simplified 乐 is a later shorthand.

Open 乐 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →
Appears in
Emotions & Feelings

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