Definition
搞 (gǎo) is a very common, colloquial catch-all verb meaning 'to do, handle, make, organize' — used in many everyday situations where the action is clear from context. Compared to 办 (bàn 'to handle, manage'), which is more formal and specific to affairs, 搞 is broader and more casual. For organizing events, 举办 (jǔ bàn) is the standard formal term; 搞 is more informal.
verb
to doto handle (a broad action verb used in many contexts)to organizeto set up (an event, activity, etc.)to maketo produce (something)
Easily confused
- 高gāolook-alike(adjective) tall; high
- 告gàosound-aliketo sue, to file a lawsuit against
- 敲qiāolook-aliketo knock, to tap, to strike
- 摘zhāilook-aliketo pick (flowers, fruit, etc.)
- 尚shànglook-alike(adverb) still, yet (formal)
Examples
- 搞。Tāmen zhèngzài gǎo yí gè yánjiū xiàngmù.They are working on a research project.
- 搞。Zhège wèntí wǒ gǎo bù dǒng.I can't figure out this problem.
- 搞？。Nǐ gǎo shénme? Zhème wǎn hái bú shuìjiào.What are you doing? It's so late and you're still not sleeping.
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