Definition
动脑筋 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to use one's brains' or 'to think hard'. It can be split: insert measure words, adjectives, or complements between 动 and 脑筋, e.g., 动动脑筋 (think a bit), 动了半天脑筋 (racked one's brains for a while), 动歪脑筋 (have a crooked idea/scheme). It sometimes carries a negative connotation of scheming or plotting to get something coveted.
v.o.
to use one's brainsto rack one's brainsto think hardto schemeto plot to get something (often with a negative connotation)
Examples
- ，动脑筋。Yùdào kùnnán shí, duō dòng nǎo jīn jiù néng zhǎodào bànfǎ.When you encounter difficulties, use your brains more and you will find a solution.
- ，。Tā dòng le bàn tiān nǎo jīn, zhōngyú xiǎng chū le yí gè hǎo zhǔyi.He racked his brains for a long time and finally came up with a good idea.
- ，。Bié dòng wāi nǎo jīn xiǎng zhàn piányi, yào tā tā shí shí gōngzuò.Don't scheme to get an advantage; work diligently and steadily.
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