Definition
耍 (shuǎ) means 'to play with' or 'to wield' but carries a connotation of showing off or displaying a skill, temper, or attitude (e.g. 耍刀 'wield a sword for show', 耍脾气 'throw a tantrum'). It differs from the neutral 弄 (nòng, 'to handle, mess with') and the deceptive 玩弄 (wán nòng, 'to toy with, trifle with'), which both lack this performative, attention-seeking nuance.
verb
to play withto wield (a weapon, object)to show offto display (a skill, temper, or attitude)
Easily confused
- 需xūlook-aliketo need, to require
- 刷shuāsound-alike(verb) to brush; to scrub
- 耐nàilook-aliketo bear; to endure; to withstand
Examples
- 耍，。Tā zài gōngyuán lǐ shuǎ dāo, kàn qǐlái hěn wēixiǎn.He was playing with a knife in the park, which looked very dangerous.
- 耍，。Tā dòng bu dòng jiù shuǎ píqì, méi rén xǐhuan hé tā yìqǐ gōngzuò.He throws a tantrum at the slightest thing; nobody likes working with him.
- ，。Bié shuǎ lài le, kuài bǎ jiè wǒ de qián huán gěi wǒ.Stop being shameless; give me back the money you borrowed.
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