小鬼 (xiǎo guǐ) — (noun) a little demon or ghost in folklore; (noun) (affectionate) a cute or mischievous child; little rascal

Definition

Literally 'little ghost/demon' from folklore, but used affectionately to scold or tease a mischievous child (e.g. 你这小鬼 'you little rascal'). Tone is playful, not scary.

noun
a little demon or ghost in folklore(affectionate) a cute or mischievous childlittle rascal
Measure word ·

Examples

  • Nǎi nai jiào wǒ xiǎo xiǎo guǐ, yīn wèi wǒ zǒng shì tiáo pí.
    Grandma calls me little devil because I'm always mischievous.
  • Zài shén huà gù shi lǐ, xiǎo xiǎo guǐ shì dì fǔ de shǐ zhě.
    In mythological stories, little demons are messengers of the underworld.
  • Cháng zhēng shí qī, xǔ duō xiǎo xiǎo guǐ jiā rù le hóng jūn.
    During the Long March, many 'little devils' joined the Red Army.

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