踩雷

cǎiléi

verb

Meanings

1 to step on a mine
2 to get burned (by a bad product, restaurant or show)
3 to touch a sensitive subject

Characters

Examples

HSK 6

这家网红店我踩雷了，又贵又难吃。

Zhè jiā wǎnghóngdiàn wǒ cǎiléi le, yòu guì yòu nánchī.

I got burned at this trendy restaurant: it was expensive and the food was awful.

HSK 7-9

和亲戚聊天时最好别问收入和婚事，一不小心就会踩雷。

Hé qīnqi liáotiān shí zuìhǎo bié wèn shōurù hé hūnshì, yíbùxiǎoxīn jiù huì cǎiléi.

When chatting with relatives, better not ask about income or marriage plans; one slip and you'll touch a nerve.

Tips

usage

Short for 踩地雷 'to step on a land mine'. Online it pairs with 避雷 'to steer clear': reviewers post what they got burned on so that readers can avoid it. The opposite experience is 种草, being sold on something by a recommendation.

Stroke Order

踩 cǎi

雷 léi