Definition
This row has a conflict: the pinyin zuò lè corresponds to 'to enjoy oneself, to make merry' (as in 寻欢作乐), but the English gloss lists 'compose/write music; play an instrument', which is the reading zuò yuè. For zuò lè, the word can act as a verb-object compound (not a typical separable verb; splitting is rare). In modern usage, it appears mostly in the set phrase 寻欢作乐 or literary contexts. Be careful not to confuse with 作乐 (zuò yuè) 'to make music'.
v.o.
to enjoy oneselfto make merry
Examples
- ，。Tā zhěngtiān zhǐ zhīdào xúnhuān zuò lè, bù sī jìnqǔ.All he does day in and day out is seek pleasure and enjoy himself, with no thought of self-improvement.
- 作乐，。Zhèxiē rén zài yìqǐ yǐn jiǔ zuò lè, shífēn rènao.These people are drinking and making merry together, very lively.
- 作乐，。Gǔdài dìwáng chángcháng yǐ zuò lè wéi lè, bú gù bǎixìng jíkǔ.Ancient emperors often took pleasure in making merry, ignoring the people's suffering.
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