草台
cǎotái
Description
"草台"本来是指乡下临时搭的戏台，现在常用来说很不专业、临时凑起来的东西。
"草台" originally referred to a temporary rural stage, now often used to describe something unprofessional and hastily put together.
网上流行说"世界是个草台班子"，意思是很多事其实做得很随便。
It is popular online to say "世界是个草台班子", meaning many things are done carelessly.
Meanings
草台cǎotái
makeshift outdoor stage in the countryside
从前村里过节，会搭一个草台唱戏。
In the past, the village would build a straw stage to perform opera during festivals.
草台班子cǎotái bānzi
amateurish, unprofessional group or setup
这个公司管理很乱，真是个草台班子。
This company is poorly managed; it's really a makeshift team.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
草 (rough, makeshift) + 台 (stage); originally a temporary rural theater stage.
- Nuance
modern slang 草台班子 mocks something as sloppy, disorganized, or unprofessional.
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