The character 鬼 (guǐ) primarily means 'ghost' or 'spirit' in Chinese. It often refers to supernatural beings believed to haunt places or people. Beyond the literal meaning, 鬼 is also used metaphorically to describe someone clever or mischievous, as in 鬼点子 (guǐ diǎnzi), meaning 'clever idea' or 'trick'.
Common Collocations
鬼故事 (guǐ gùshì): ghost story, used when telling scary tales.
鬼魂 (guǐ hún): ghost or spirit, emphasizing the soul aspect.
鬼点子 (guǐ diǎnzi): clever or tricky idea, often positive.
装鬼 (zhuāng guǐ): to pretend to be a ghost, often used when children play tricks.
Usage Notes
When used literally, 鬼 carries a spooky or eerie tone, common in folklore and horror contexts. Metaphorically, it can be playful or admiring, describing someone with sharp wit or cunning. Be careful not to confuse 鬼 with 妖怪 (yāoguài), which refers more to monsters or demons rather than spirits.
Register and Tone
The word 鬼 is neutral but context-dependent. In casual speech, it can be humorous or teasing. In formal or literary contexts, it often evokes traditional beliefs or supernatural themes.
의미와 용법
한자 鬼(귀)는 주로 '귀신'이나 '영혼'을 뜻합니다. 주로 장소나 사람을 괴롭히는 초자연적 존재를 가리킵니다. 문자 그대로의 의미 외에도, 鬼는 장난꾸러기나 영리한 사람을 비유적으로 표현할 때도 쓰입니다. 예를 들어 鬼点子(귀점자)는 '영리한 아이디어'를 뜻합니다.
