Meaning of 调皮
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- naughty
- mischievous
- unruly
How to use 调皮
调皮 describes playful, mischievous behavior, most often of children or pets, and usually sounds affectionate rather than harsh. It can also describe a cheeky, teasing adult. Example: 这个孩子很调皮。(Zhège háizi hěn tiáopí.) This child is very naughty.
调 (tiáo) means to tune or adjust, and 皮 (pí) means skin. Picture a child who keeps "adjusting" their skin into silly faces, always playing tricks.
Common mistake: 调 has two readings. Learners often say diàopí because of 调查 (diàochá), but in 调皮 it is tiáo, the same as in 调整 (tiáozhěng) and 空调 (kōngtiáo).
调皮 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
调 diào · to transfer · 10 strokes
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皮 pí · skin · 5 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 调皮.
| 调查 | diàochá | investigation; inquiry |
| 调整 | tiáozhěng | to adjust; to revise; to reorganize |
| 强调 | qiángdiào | to emphasize (a statement); to stress |
| 空调 | kōngtiáo | air conditioning; air conditioner (including units that have a heating mode) |
| 皮包 | píbāo | handbag; briefcase |
| 单调 | dāndiào | monotonous |
| 皮肤 | pífū | skin |
| 调动 | diàodòng | to transfer; to maneuver (troops etc) |
| 皮鞋 | píxié | leather shoes |
| 调节 | tiáojié | to adjust; to regulate |
| 调解 | tiáojiě | to mediate; to bring parties to an agreement |
| 协调 | xiétiáo | to coordinate; to harmonize |
Questions about 调皮
What does 调皮 mean?
调皮 (tiáopí) means "naughty; mischievous" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 调皮?
调皮 is made of 2 characters: 调 (10 strokes), 皮 (5 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 调皮 an HSK word?
Yes. 调皮 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 调皮 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 调皮 is written 調皮.
Is 调皮 a negative word?
Usually it is mild and often fond, like calling a kid a little rascal. For serious bad behavior, Chinese speakers prefer words like 不听话 (bù tīnghuà, disobedient).
What is the difference between 调皮 and 淘气?
淘气 (táoqì) also means naughty and is very close in meaning. 淘气 is used mostly for children, while 调皮 can also describe a teasing tone or playful adults.