关子 (guān zǐ) — climax (in a story); the crucial point (often in the phrase 卖关子 'to keep in suspense')
Definition
Usually appears in the set phrase 卖关子 ('to keep someone in suspense'). By itself, 关子 names the suspenseful moment in a story — the 'climax' or crucial reveal just before the answer.
noun
climax (in a story)the crucial point (often in the phrase 卖关子 'to keep in suspense')
Examples
- 关子，。Tā zǒng ài mài guān zǐ, ràng rén zháo jí.He always likes to keep people in suspense, making them anxious.
- 关子，。Gù shi dào le zuì guān jiàn de guān zǐ, tā què tíng le xià lái.The story reached the most critical climax, but he stopped.
- 关子，！Bié mài guān zǐ le, kuài gào sù wǒ men jié guǒ ba!Don't keep us in suspense—tell us the result quickly!
Appears in
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