小
鬼

About

The word 小鬼 is formed by combining two characters: 小 (xiǎo), meaning "small" or "little", and 鬼 (guǐ), meaning "ghost" or "spirit". Conceptually, it merges the idea of something diminutive and non-threatening with the notion of a supernatural or mischievous entity. This creates a new, figurative meaning, not a literal small ghost, but a metaphor for a playful, impish creature (like a goblin or imp) or is used as a mildly teasing term for a child or a junior, implying cheeky mischief rather than malevolence.

Example Sentences Hide

这个调皮的小鬼又把玩具弄乱了。

Zhège tiáopí de xiǎoguǐ yòu bǎ wánjù nòng luàn le.

This naughty little rascal has messed up the toys again.

那几个小鬼在院子里玩捉迷藏呢。

Nà jǐ gè xiǎoguǐ zài yuànzi lǐ wán zhuōmícáng ne.

Those little kids are playing hide-and-seek in the yard.

电影里的那个小鬼拥有通灵的能力。

Diànyǐng lǐ de nàgè xiǎoguǐ yōngyǒu tōnglíng de nénglì.

That little ghost/spirit in the movie possesses psychic abilities.

你可别小看这个小鬼，他的主意多着呢。

Nǐ kě bié xiǎokàn zhège xiǎoguǐ, tā de zhǔyì duō zhe ne.

Don't look down on this little imp; he's full of ideas.

传说这座老宅子里住着一个喜欢恶作剧的小鬼。

Chuánshuō zhè zuò lǎo zháizi lǐ zhù zhe yīgè xǐhuān èzuòjù de xiǎoguǐ.

Legend has it that a mischievous little demon lives in this old house.

Word Definition - 小鬼

xiǎo guǐ little demon (term of endearment for a child); mischievous child; imp

Individual Character Details

小 xiǎo
鬼 guǐ