guiguisuisui: 鬼鬼祟祟 - Sneaky, Stealthy, Furtive

• Keywords: 鬼鬼祟祟, guiguisuisui, gui gui sui sui, sneaky in Chinese, furtive in Chinese, acting shady meaning, secretive Chinese phrase, what does guiguisuisui mean, Chinese slang for suspicious behavior.
• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of the vivid Chinese idiom 鬼鬼祟祟 (guǐ guǐ suì suì). This term describes someone acting in a sneaky, stealthy, or furtive manner, often with malicious or mischievous intent. This guide breaks down the characters, explores its cultural roots in ghost folklore, and provides over 10 practical example sentences to show you how to use “guiguisuisui” to describe someone who is acting suspiciously or “shady” in modern Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): guǐ guǐ suì suì
• Part of Speech: Adjective / Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 6 / Advanced
• Concise Definition: To act in a sneaky, furtive, or secretive manner, typically with suspicious or bad intentions.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine someone moving like a ghost or a spirit—skulking in the shadows, peeking around corners, and trying not to be seen. That's the core image of `鬼鬼祟祟`. It's not just about being quiet; it's about being secretive because you're up to no good. The term is almost always negative and accusatory.

• 鬼 (guǐ): Ghost, spirit, demon. This character immediately brings a sense of the unseen, the hidden, and the potentially malevolent.
• 祟 (suì): Evil spirit; to haunt. This is a less common character, but it powerfully reinforces the negative and sinister feeling of `鬼`. It implies something that brings misfortune or trouble.

The structure `鬼鬼祟祟` is an AABB reduplication, a common pattern in Chinese that intensifies the meaning. By doubling both “ghost” and “evil spirit,” the phrase creates an extremely vivid and strong image of someone behaving not just sneakily, but in a downright spooky and untrustworthy way.

The power of `鬼鬼祟祟` is deeply rooted in Chinese folklore and the cultural concept of ghosts (`鬼`). In traditional Chinese culture, ghosts are not just spooky figures but entities that operate in the dark, often with unresolved issues or malicious intent. They are the ultimate symbol of the hidden and the unseen. By applying this “ghostly” description to a person, you are doing more than just calling them “sneaky.” You are tapping into a rich cultural image to say their behavior is unnatural, dishonest, and belongs in the shadows. Comparison to Western Concepts: A close English equivalent is “acting shady” or “skulking around.” However, these phrases lack the supernatural undertone of `鬼鬼祟祟`. While “shady” implies untrustworthiness, `鬼鬼祟祟` paints a more active, physical picture of someone trying to evade notice, much like a ghost haunting a place. It's more visual and carries a stronger sense of condemnation.

`鬼鬼祟祟` is a common, informal term used to describe suspicious behavior in everyday life.

• Connotation: It is overwhelmingly negative. You use it to criticize or express suspicion about someone's actions. Never use it for positive secrets, like planning a surprise party.
• Function: It is most often used as an adverbial phrase (with `地 de`) to describe *how* an action is performed. It can also be used as a predicate adjective to describe a person's general demeanor.
  • As an Adverb: `他鬼鬼祟祟地走了出去。` (He sneakily went out.)
  • As an Adjective: `你看他那个样子，鬼鬼祟祟的，肯定没干好事。` (Look at him, so furtive, he must be up to no good.)

• Example 1:
  • 我看到一个男人在邻居家门口鬼鬼祟祟的，就报了警。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ kàndào yí ge nánrén zài línjū jiā ménkǒu guǐ guǐ suì suì de, jiù bàole jǐng.
  • English: I saw a man acting furtively at my neighbor's door, so I called the police.
  • Analysis: This is a classic usage, describing suspicious behavior that warrants concern. The `的 (de)` at the end of the phrase is common when used this way.
• Example 2:
  • 你别在厨房鬼鬼祟祟的了，想吃什么直接说！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bié zài chúfáng guǐ guǐ suì suì de le, xiǎng chī shénme zhíjiē shuō!
  • English: Stop skulking around the kitchen! If you want to eat something, just say so!
  • Analysis: A lighthearted, informal example. Here, it's used to scold a child or family member who is trying to sneak a snack.
• Example 3:
  • 他最近总是鬼鬼祟祟地接电话，我怀疑他有事瞒着我。
  • Pinyin: Tā zuìjìn zǒngshì guǐ guǐ suì suì de jiē diànhuà, wǒ huáiyí tā yǒushì mánzhe wǒ.
  • English: He's always been taking phone calls secretively lately; I suspect he's hiding something from me.
  • Analysis: This example shows how the term is used to describe an action (`接电话` - answering the phone) that raises suspicion in a relationship.
• Example 4:
  • 考试的时候，他鬼鬼祟祟地往我这边看，好像想抄我的答案。
  • Pinyin: Kǎoshì de shíhou, tā guǐ guǐ suì suì de wǎng wǒ zhèbiān kàn, hǎoxiàng xiǎng chāo wǒ de dá'àn.
  • English: During the exam, he kept glancing furtively in my direction, as if he wanted to copy my answers.
  • Analysis: Describes the classic suspicious behavior of a cheater.
• Example 5:
  • 这两个同事整天在一起鬼鬼祟祟，不知道在密谋什么。
  • Pinyin: Zhè liǎng ge tóngshì zhěngtiān zài yìqǐ guǐ guǐ suì suì, bù zhīdào zài mìmóu shénme.
  • English: These two colleagues are always being secretive together all day; who knows what they're plotting.
  • Analysis: Used to describe the behavior of a group, implying they are conspiring or gossiping.
• Example 6:
  • 电影里的那个反派角色出场时总是鬼鬼祟祟的。
  • Pinyin: Diànyǐng lǐ de nàge fǎnpài juésè chūchǎng shí zǒngshì guǐ guǐ suì suì de.
  • English: That villain in the movie is always furtive when he appears on screen.
  • Analysis: Used to describe the stereotypical behavior of a character in fiction.
• Example 7:
  • “你刚才鬼鬼祟祟地在藏什么东西？”妈妈问。
  • Pinyin: “Nǐ gāngcái guǐ guǐ suì suì de zài cáng shénme dōngxi?” Māma wèn.
  • English: “What were you just hiding so sneakily?” Mom asked.
  • Analysis: A direct question using the term to accuse someone of hiding something.
• Example 8:
  • 他这个人看起来就不老实，总是鬼鬼祟祟的。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén kànqǐlái jiù bù lǎoshí, zǒngshì guǐ guǐ suì suì de.
  • English: This person doesn't seem honest; he's always so sneaky.
  • Analysis: Here, it's used as an adjective to describe a person's general character and demeanor, not just a single action.
• Example 9:
  • 小猫鬼鬼祟祟地靠近鱼缸，准备“作案”。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎo māo guǐ guǐ suì suì de kàojìn yúgāng, zhǔnbèi “zuò'àn”.
  • English: The kitten stealthily approached the fish tank, preparing to commit the “crime.”
  • Analysis: A humorous, anthropomorphic use of the term to describe an animal's behavior.
• Example 10:
  • 他行事向来光明正大，从不鬼鬼祟祟。
  • Pinyin: Tā xíngshì xiànglái guāngmíngzhèngdà, cóng bù guǐ guǐ suì suì.
  • English: He has always acted openly and honorably, never secretively.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the term in the negative to contrast it with its antonym, `光明正大` (open and honorable).

• Mistake 1: Using it for positive secrecy.
  • A very common error is to use `鬼鬼祟祟` to describe someone planning a surprise. This is incorrect because the term carries a strong negative connotation.
  • Incorrect: `他们在为我准备惊喜派对，所以行为有点鬼鬼祟祟。`
  • Correct: `他们在为我准备惊喜派对，所以行为有点神秘 (shénmì)。` (They are a bit mysterious.) or `他们在偷偷地 (tōutōu de) 为我准备派对。` (They are secretly preparing a party for me.)
• False Friend: “Secretive” vs. `鬼鬼祟祟`
  • While related, they are not the same. An English speaker might be “secretive” about their past, meaning they are a private person. This is a personality trait. `鬼鬼祟祟`, however, almost always describes a physical action or behavior. It's about *acting* in a sneaky way, not just *being* a private person. You wouldn't say a quiet, introverted person is `鬼鬼祟祟` unless they were actively skulking around.

• 偷偷摸摸 (tōutōumōmō) - A very close synonym for sneaky or furtive. It has a slight emphasis on “stealing” (`偷 tōu`) and “groping/touching” (`摸 mō`), making it perfect for describing someone stealing cookies or cheating on a test.
• 贼头贼脑 (zéi tóu zéi nǎo) - Lit. “thief's head, thief's brain.” Describes the shifty-eyed, suspicious look of a person who seems like a thief. It focuses more on appearance and expression than action.
• 神秘 (shénmì) - Mysterious. This is a neutral term. A magician's trick is `神秘`, and a surprise party is `神秘`. It lacks the negative judgment of `鬼鬼祟祟`.
• 可疑 (kěyí) - Suspicious, questionable. A more formal and neutral adjective. You can say a situation or a person is `可疑` without the strong visual imagery of `鬼鬼祟祟`.
• 暗中 (ànzhōng) - In secret, covertly. A neutral adverb. A government can `暗中` conduct an investigation, which is a secret but legitimate action.
• 光明正大 (guāng míng zhèng dà) - Open and honorable, aboveboard. This is a direct antonym, describing actions done in broad daylight with nothing to hide.