Meaning
捣乱 means to deliberately create disorder, chaos, or problems in a situation. It implies intentional mischief or disruption, ranging from playful troublemaking by children to serious sabotage of plans or activities. The word carries a negative connotation and suggests someone is actively interfering with normal operations or harmony.
Usage
This word is commonly used in both serious and lighthearted contexts. Parents might scold children who are 捣乱 during important moments, while adults use it to describe someone deliberately interfering with work, meetings, or plans. It often appears with 别 (don't) as in 别捣乱 (don't make trouble). The tone is usually disapproving or frustrated.
Examples
- 01孩子们在开会的时候别捣乱，安静地坐着。, .Children, don't make trouble during the meeting, sit quietly.
- 02他总是故意捣乱，影响大家的工作进度。, .He always deliberately causes disruption, affecting everyone's work progress.
Characters
Common collocations
- 别捣乱don't make trouble
- 故意捣乱to deliberately cause disruption
- 捣乱分子troublemaker
- 制造捣乱to create disruption
Antonyms
Origin
捣 originally meant to pound or strike (as in pounding rice), while 乱 means disorder. Together they literally suggest 'pounding into chaos' or 'stirring up disorder,' which evolved to mean deliberately creating trouble or confusion.