dòu: 逗 - To Tease, To Amuse, Funny

Keywords: dou, dòu, 逗, tease in Chinese, amuse in Chinese, play with in Chinese, how to say funny in Chinese, Chinese word for teasing, 逗你玩, 逗比, 逗留, Chinese humor.

Summary: Learn the versatile Chinese word 逗 (dòu), a playful term meaning to tease, amuse, or play with. Often used as a verb in lighthearted jokes or as an adjective to describe someone as “funny,” 逗 (dòu) is essential for informal, friendly conversations in Mandarin. This guide covers its cultural nuances, modern slang like 逗比 (dòubī), and contrasts its playful meaning with its more formal usage, “to stay” or “to linger.”

Pinyin (with tone marks): dòu

Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: To tease or amuse someone playfully; to be funny or amusing.

In a Nutshell: 逗 (dòu) is the heart of playful, lighthearted interaction in Chinese. As a verb, it’s the action you take to make someone laugh or smile, often by gently teasing them. Think of tickling someone, making a funny face at a baby, or telling a friend a silly story to get a reaction. As an adjective, it describes a person, animal, or situation that is inherently comical, amusing, or goofy. It almost always carries a warm, positive, and informal feeling.

Combined Meaning: While a direct combination of “walk” and “bean” doesn't create the modern meaning, you can think of the “walk” radical (辶) as representing an action directed towards someone to provoke a reaction. The character's original, more classical meaning was “to stop” or “to linger,” which survives in the word 逗留 (dòuliú). However, its most common, everyday meaning has evolved to be about “playing with” or “amusing” someone.

Teasing as Affection: In Chinese culture, 逗 (dòu) is a common way to show affection and build rapport, especially among close friends, family, and couples. It's a verbal or physical form of play that signals intimacy and comfort. Unlike the English word “tease,” which can sometimes carry a negative or bullying connotation, 逗 (dòu) is almost exclusively understood as good-natured and friendly. It's a tool for creating a fun, lively, and harmonious atmosphere (热闹, rènao).

Contrast with Western “Teasing”: While you might “tease” a friend in English, the act can sometimes border on mockery or be used to point out a flaw, even if humorously. 逗 (dòu) rarely has this critical edge. It's less about the content of the joke and more about the act of playful interaction itself. For example, pretending to steal a friend's snack just to see their reaction is a classic act of 逗. It's not about the snack; it's about the shared laugh afterward. This aligns with the cultural value of maintaining smooth, harmonious relationships through indirect and lighthearted communication.

Informal Conversations: This is where 逗 (dòu) thrives. It's used constantly between friends. Saying “你真逗 (nǐ zhēn dòu)” (“You're so funny/silly”) is a common compliment. Responding to a joke with “别逗了 (bié dòu le)” (“Stop it/Stop teasing me”) is a way of playfully acknowledging the humor.

Internet and Youth Culture: The term 逗比 (dòubī) is extremely popular online. It literally translates to “tease-force” but is used to mean “goofball,” “joker,” or a “lovable idiot.” It can be used self-deprecatingly (“我真是个逗比”) or affectionately between friends. Be cautious, as the character 比 (bī) is a euphemism for a curse word, making it highly informal and potentially rude if used with strangers or elders.

Formal Usage (Less Common): The word 逗留 (dòuliú) means “to stay” or “to linger” and is the primary context where 逗 retains its classical meaning. You will see this in formal writing, travel itineraries, or news reports, such as “The delegation will stay (逗留) in Beijing for three days.” It has none of the playful connotations of the standalone character.

`逗 (dòu)` vs. `开玩笑 (kāi wánxiào)`: These are often confused. 开玩笑 (kāi wánxiào) means “to tell a joke” or “to kid.” It's primarily verbal. 逗 (dòu) is more interactive; it's the *action* of trying to get a playful reaction, which can be verbal or physical. You can 开玩笑 by telling a story, but you 逗 someone by making a funny face at them.

`逗 (dòu)` vs. `欺负 (qīfu)`: This is a critical distinction for learners. 逗 (dòu) is friendly, warm, and done between equals (or to a subordinate, like a child, with affection). 欺负 (qīfu) means “to bully” and implies a malicious intent and a power imbalance. Confusing the two can lead to serious misunderstandings. 逗 builds relationships; 欺负 harms them.

Misusing `逗比 (dòubī)`: Do not call your boss, your teacher, or an elder a 逗比. While it can be a term of endearment between young friends, it is fundamentally slang and can be perceived as disrespectful and rude in a formal or professional setting.

Forgetting the Formal Meaning: While 95% of the time you encounter 逗, it will mean “tease/funny,” don't be thrown off when you see 逗留 (dòuliú) on a sign or in a news article. Just recognize it as the formal “to stay/linger” and move on.

开玩笑 (kāi wánxiào) - To joke; to jest. More about the act of saying something funny.

搞笑 (gǎoxiào) - Funny; hilarious. Often used to describe performances, videos, or deliberate attempts at comedy. It's less about a person's inherent personality than 逗.

幽默 (yōumò) - Humorous. A loanword from “humor,” this term often implies a more intelligent, subtle, or witty sense of humor compared to the simple, playful nature of 逗.

逗留 (dòuliú) - To stay; to linger. The formal, non-playful usage of the character 逗.

逗乐 (dòu lè) - To amuse; to make someone laugh. A compound verb that explicitly states the goal of 逗 is to create 乐 (lè - happiness).

逗比 (dòubī) - (Slang) A goofball, a lovable idiot. A very popular and informal term.

取笑 (qǔxiào) - To make fun of; to ridicule. This carries a more negative connotation than 逗 and can be closer to “mocking.”

欺负 (qīfu) - (Antonym concept) To bully; to pick on. The malicious opposite of the playful, good-natured 逗.