乐子 () — fun, amusement (colloquial); awkward predicament, laughingstock (colloquial)

Definition

Colloquial noun covering two opposite moods: 'fun' (something to enjoy) and 'laughingstock' (someone to mock). The meaning flips with context — 找乐子 means 'have fun'; 闹出乐子 means 'make a fool of oneself'.

noun
funamusement (colloquial)awkward predicamentlaughingstock (colloquial)

Examples

  • 乐子
    Dà jiā zài yì qǐ jiù shì yào zhǎo diǎn r lè.
    When we're together, it's all about having some fun.
  • 乐子
    Tā hē duō le, nào chū le yí gè dà lè.
    He drank too much and caused a big awkward scene.
  • 乐子
    Bié ná wǒ dāng lè, wǒ kě shì rèn zhēn de.
    Don't make me a laughingstock — I'm serious.

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