Definition
做鬼 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to play tricks' or 'to do something sneaky', often behind someone's back. It can also appear in the fixed phrase 做鬼脸 ('to make a face'). As a separable verb, you can insert measure words or modifiers between 做 and 鬼, e.g. 做了一次鬼 ('played a trick once'). Be careful not to confuse it with the literal 'to become a ghost' — in modern usage it's always figurative.
v.o.
to play tricksto do something underhanded(in 做鬼脸) to make a face
Examples
- 做鬼，。Tā zǒng zài bèihòu zuò guǐ, dàjiā dōu bù xǐhuan tā.He's always playing tricks behind people's backs; nobody likes him.
- 做鬼，。Bié zuò guǐ le, hǎohǎo zuò shì ba.Stop playing tricks and just do your work properly.
- ，。Tā zuò le yí cì guǐ, jiù bèi fāxiàn le.He played a trick once and got caught right away.
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