乖
guāi
HSK 5
#2,465 most
frequent character
(of a child) obedient, well-behaved
adjective
Character breakdown
Source: Make Me a Hanzi.
乖 has 北 showing two people back to back, which gives the first meaning to go against. 千 was once 𦫳, a ram's horns, but is now empty. The meaning grew to contrary, irregular, and shrewd. The sense 'obedient' was borrowed only for its sound.
Drawn as: people back to back; ram's horns
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Example Sentences
这个孩子真乖。
zhègè háizǐ zhēn guāi 。
This child is really obedient.
她的表现很乖。
tāde biǎoxiàn hěn guāi 。
Her performance was very clever.
他总是乖乖地听话。
tā zǒngshì guāiguāi dì tīnghuà 。
He always obediently listens.
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