Definition
弄 (nòng) is a versatile verb meaning 'to do, handle, manage' — it's a catch-all action verb like 'do' in English. When followed by 到, it means 'to get, obtain', similar to 得到 (dé dào) but more colloquial. For 'play with', 弄 is neutral, while 耍 (shuǎ) and 玩弄 (wán nòng) carry stronger negative connotations of toying or deceiving.
verb
to doto handleto manage (general action)to play withto mess with (interfere with an object)to getto obtain (when followed by 到)
Easily confused
- 开kāilook-aliketo open (a door, window, etc.)
- 浓nóngsound-alikethick, concentrated, dense (of liquids, fog, smell, color, etc.)
- 升shēnglook-aliketo rise, to go up; to increase (temperature, prices, etc.)
Examples
- 弄，。Nǐ nòng yíxià zhège diànnǎo ba, tā hǎoxiàng yǒu wèntí.You take a look at this computer — it seems to have a problem.
- 弄，。Bié nòng wǒ de dōngxi, wǒ zìjǐ lái.Don't mess with my stuff; I'll do it myself.
- 弄，。Tā nòng dào le liǎng zhāng diànyǐng piào, wǒmen yìqǐ qù ba.He got two movie tickets; let's go together.
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