恶作剧 èzuòjù practical joke
practical joke; prank; to play a practical joke
How to remember 恶作剧: 恶 bad + 作 do + 剧 theatrical plays = practical joke.
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How it is used
- A prank or practical joke - 他喜欢搞恶作剧 (tā xǐhuan gǎo èzuòjù) he loves pulling pranks.
- Works as noun and verb; note it takes 搞/开 as its verb.
- Mischief with a mean streak (恶 = bad), heavier than a harmless 玩笑 (wánxiào, joke) - a prank done at someone's expense.