Meaning:

    “玩” means to “play,” and “票” is short for “票友,” referring to amateur performers of traditional Chinese operas and stand-up comedy. Originally referring to the performing of those art forms by amateurs, the term has expanded in meaning. Today, this term can be thought of as the equivalent to “doing something just for fun” or “being not very serious about something.”

    Example:

    A: 听说小林准备拍电影了。

    Tīngshuō xiǎolín zhǔnbèi pāi diànyǐng le。

    I’ve heard Lin is going to make a movie.

    B: 自己演还是当导演啊？

    Zìjǐ yǎn háishì dāng dǎoyǎn a?

    Is he acting or directing?

    A: 自导自演。

    Zìdǎozìyǎn。

    Both

    B: 他是玩票还是干什么？

    Tā shì wánpiào háishì gàn shénme?

    Is he doing it for fun or something?

    A: 富二代嘛，总得找点事做。

    Fù’èrdài ma, zǒngděi zhǎo diǎn shì zuò。

    He was born loaded, but he still needs to find things to do.