玩意 (wán yì) — (colloquial) thing, stuff (often in a dismissive or vague sense); toy, plaything; act, trick (in a performance or show)

Definition

Colloquial word for 'thing, gadget' — often used vaguely or with a dismissive tone, like 'that thingamajig'. It can also mean a 'toy', or an 'act/trick' in a performance.

noun
(colloquial) thingstuff (often in a dismissive or vague sense)toyplaythingacttrick (in a performance or show)

Examples

  • 玩意
    Zhè wán yì yòng qǐ lái bú tài fāng biàn.
    This thing isn't very convenient to use.
  • 玩意
    Tā gěi hái zi mǎi le yì duī xiǎo wán yì.
    He bought a bunch of little toys for the kids.
  • 玩意
    Nà ge biǎo yǎn lǐ de wán yì hěn yǒu yì si.
    The acts in that show are very interesting.

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