Definition
见鬼 is a separable verb (离合词) literally meaning 'to see a ghost'. It's far more common as an exclamation expressing anger, frustration, or surprise — equivalent to 'Damn it!' or 'Go to hell!' in English. The verb 见 can split from 鬼 to insert particles or modifiers, e.g. 见了鬼了 (lit. 'have seen a ghost', used as an exasperated exclamation resembling 'What the hell?').
interjection
Damn it! Go to hell! (expression of anger, frustration, or surprise)
v.o.
(verb phrase) to see a ghost (literal, less common)
Examples
- 见鬼,!jiàn guǐ, wǒ bǎ yàoshi wàng zài jiā lǐ le!Damn it! I left my keys at home!
- ,?Zhēn shì jiàn le guǐ le, zěnme yòu tíng diàn le?What the hell? Why is the power out again?
- 见鬼,!jiàn guǐ qù ba, bié zài lái fán wǒ!Go to hell! Don't bother me again!
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.