Definition
捣蛋 means 'to cause trouble' or 'to be a nuisance', but it is a separable verb (离合词): the verb 捣 and the object 蛋 can separate to insert time expressions, objects, or modifiers — for example 捣什么蛋 ('make what kind of trouble?') or 捣过一次蛋 ('made trouble once'). You never put a direct object after 捣蛋; instead use 跟/对 + person + 捣蛋 to mean 'cause trouble for someone'.
v.o.
to cause troubleto make mischiefto be a nuisance
Examples
- 捣蛋。Tā zǒngshì xǐhuān zài kètáng shàng dǎo dàn.He always likes to cause trouble in class.
- ？Tā zuótiān dǎo le shénme dàn?What kind of trouble did he make yesterday?
- 捣蛋，！Bié zài dǎo dàn le, kuài bāngmáng zuò shì!Stop causing trouble and help with the work!
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