ちょっかい
ちょっかい
noun
meddling, teasing, making a pass
1.
meddling, interfering, teasing
Unwanted interference or playful pestering in someone else's affairs.
ちょっかいを出すな。
Don't butt in.
弟が姉にちょっかいを出して怒られた。
My little brother got scolded for teasing his sister.
猫が寝ている犬にちょっかいを出している。
The cat is bothering the sleeping dog.
他人の仕事にちょっかいを出すな。
Don't meddle in other people's work.
2.
making a pass, hitting on
Making romantic or flirtatious advances toward someone.
彼女にちょっかいを出すなよ。
Don't hit on my girlfriend.
同僚の奥さんにちょっかいを出して問題になった。
He got in trouble for making a pass at his colleague's wife.
ちょっかい is almost always used with the verb 出す in the pattern ちょっかいを出す (to meddle, interfere, make a pass).
The word originally referred to a cat's front paw reaching out to swat at something, which evolved to describe unwanted interference or flirtatious advances.
Usage:
- For teasing/meddling: neutral to mildly negative
- For romantic advances: usually implies unwelcome or inappropriate behavior