弄 nòng do
do; to handle; make
How to remember 弄: 王 jade + 廾 two hands = do. The toddler holds Grandma's jade bracelet in two hands, wondering what on earth to do with it.
Component breakdown
弄 = 王 jade + 廾 two hands
- 王 jade
- 廾 two hands
The toddler holds Grandma's jade bracelet in two hands, wondering what on earth to do with it.
How it is used
- A catch-all verb 'to do / make / handle / mess with,' standing in for a more specific verb - 弄坏了 (nòng huài le) broke it, 弄丢了 (nòng diū le) lost it, 弄清楚 (nòng qīngchu) sort out.
- It is deliberately vague; the result complement after it carries the real meaning.
- Colloquial and handy when you don't want to name the exact action.
Words with 弄
Example sentences
- 那个小朋友在弄什么？ Nàge xiǎopéngyou zài nòng shénme?What's that small child doing?