机灵鬼 (jī líng guǐ) — (colloquial) a clever person; a smart aleck (often affectionate or teasing)
Definition
An affectionate, teasing label for a clever, mischievous kid — 'little rascal' or 'smart aleck'. Always colloquial and warm; usually said about children.
noun
(colloquial) a clever persona smart aleck (often affectionate or teasing)
Measure word · 个
Examples
- 机灵鬼，。Zhè xiǎo jiā huo zhēn shì gè jī líng guǐ, shén me wèn tí dōu nán bù dǎo tā.This little guy is such a clever one, nothing stumps him.
- 机灵鬼，？Nǐ zhè ge xiǎo jī líng guǐ, yòu xiǎng chū shén me guǐ zhǔ yì le?You little rascal, what trick have you come up with now?
- ，机灵鬼，。Bié kàn tā nián jì xiǎo, tā kě shì gè lǎo jī líng guǐ, shén me shì dōu míng bai.Don't let his age fool you — he's an old wisecracker, knows everything.
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.
机灵 gives clever, while 鬼 adds a person sense, often teasing or affectionate.
Appears in
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