Definition
正儿八经 is a colloquial fixed phrase used to emphasize that something is genuine, serious, or in earnest. It often carries a slightly playful or emphatic tone, and is commonly used in the negative 不正经 to mean 'not serious' or 'frivolous'. You can use it as an adjective (正儿八经的理由 'a real reason') or an adverb (他正儿八经地工作 'he works seriously'). The 儿 is a retroflex suffix, pronounced with the 儿化.
v.p.
seriousearnestgenuinereal
Examples
- 正儿八经，。Tā kàn qǐlai hěn zhèng r bā jīng de yàngzi, bú xiàng zài kāi wánxiào.He looks very serious, not like he's joking.
- 正儿八经，。Nǐ shuōhuà yào zhèng r bā jīng de, bié zǒngshì xīxīhāhā.You should speak earnestly, don't always act silly.
- 正儿八经，。Tā juéde zhè shì bù zhèng r bā jīng, gēnběn méi fàng zài xīnshang.He thinks this matter isn't serious and didn't take it to heart at all.
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