Definition
玩意 is a colloquial noun that can mean 'toy' or 'plaything', but more often it's used like 'thingy' or 'stuff' in informal speech — a casual, often slightly dismissive way to refer to an object, gadget, or even a performance act. The tone varies: with 小玩意 it's endearing, but with 这玩意 it can carry mild contempt or impatience.
n
(colloquial) thingstuff (often in a dismissive or vague sense)toyplaythingacttrick (in a performance or show)
Examples
- 玩意。Zhè wán yì yòng qǐlai bú tài fāngbiàn.This thing isn't very convenient to use.
- 玩意。Tā gěi háizi mǎi le yì duī xiǎo wán yì.He bought a bunch of little toys for the kids.
- 玩意。Nàge biǎoyǎn lǐ de wán yì hěn yǒu yìsi.The acts in that show are very interesting.
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