惹是生非

rěshì-shēngfēi

idiom #25,093

Meanings

1 to stir up trouble
2 to cause problems
3 to make mischief

Characters

to provoke / to attract (trouble)

right / correct (here: disputes of right and wrong)

to produce / to create

wrong / not / disputes

Examples

他从小就喜欢惹是生非，让父母头疼不已。

Tā cóngxiǎo jiù xǐhuān rěshìshēngfēi, ràng fùmǔ tóuténg bùyǐ.

He has liked stirring up trouble since childhood, giving his parents no end of headaches.

别在外面惹是生非，给家里丢脸。

Bié zài wàimiàn rěshìshēngfēi, gěi jiāli diūliǎn.

Don't go stirring up trouble outside and embarrassing the family.

Tips

memory

惹 means to provoke/attract, 是 here means 'right/wrong disputes,' and 非 means 'wrong.' Literally: to attract disputes and create wrongs — to make trouble out of nothing.

Stroke Order

惹 rě

是 shì

生 shēng

非 fēi