📖 Meaning
This idiom describes pretending to be ghosts or spirits to deceive or frighten others. It also refers to secretly playing tricks, manipulating situations, or cheating through deceptive means. A variant form is 弄神弄鬼.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom draws from folk traditions in which shamans, charlatans, and frauds would impersonate ghosts and deities to swindle or intimidate the superstitious. Such practices were common throughout Chinese history, from village spirit mediums to palace fortune-tellers. Over time the phrase broadened to describe anyone who resorts to trickery and manipulation behind the scenes rather than acting openly.
💡 Example Usage
这个巫婆弄鬼弄神，骗了不少人的钱财。
This old witch pretended to commune with spirits and swindled many people out of their money.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 弄鬼弄神
- Pinyin: nòng guǐ nòng shén
- Literal Translation: play, ghost, play, god
- Category: Method
- Characters: 4