惹

• Pinyin: rě
• Hanzi breakdown: 惹 = 艹 + 若 (plant radical + resembling — originally a clinging plant; now: to draw in or provoke)

Meaning

To provoke; to cause; to attract or invite something undesired. Implies carelessly or recklessly stirring up trouble, anger, or an unwanted reaction.

惹麻烦 (cause trouble), 惹是生非 (stir up trouble), 惹祸 (cause a disaster), and 惹不起 (can't afford to offend) are common expressions. Slightly colloquial. Often appears in warnings or regretful statements. Stronger in agency than 招 but less deliberate than 挑衅.

Examples

1. 他的一句无心之言竟然惹来了轩然大波，令他措手不及、懊悔不已。 A careless remark of his unexpectedly set off a huge uproar, leaving him caught off guard and full of regret.
2. 在陌生地方行事要低调谨慎，切勿惹是生非，给自己带来不必要的麻烦。 When you’re in an unfamiliar place, keep a low profile and be cautious—don’t go looking for trouble and bring unnecessary problems on yourself.
3. 这个孩子调皮捣蛋，整天在学校惹麻烦，令老师和家长都颇为头疼。 This kid is mischievous and causes trouble at school all day, giving both teachers and parents a real headache.

Usage Guide

Context: conflict, daily life, warnings

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 他深知那位上司脾气暴躁，所以在汇报工作时格外谨慎，生怕一不小心说错话惹对方不高兴。(He was well aware that his supervisor had a volatile temper, so he was especially careful when reporting on his work, for fear of accidentally saying the wrong thing and provoking displeasure.)
• 你要是继续在公共场合这样大吵大闹，迟早会惹祸上身，到时候后悔就来不及了。(If you keep causing scenes in public like this, sooner or later you will bring disaster upon yourself — and by then it will be too late to regret it.)

Don't Say

• 她惹了一朵美丽的花 — use 她摘了一朵美丽的花 or 她被一朵花吸引住了; 惹 always carries the sense of provoking something unwanted and cannot describe attracting something positive like a flower

Origin & History

惹 = 艹 (grass/plant) + 若 (resembling) — originally: something that catches and clings like a sticky plant; extended: to attract or invite trouble

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal