Meanings of 吮
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 吮
Podcast: 吮
Podcast: 吮
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 吮
吮 (shǔn) vs 吸 (xī) — use 吮 for gentle sucking or sipping, while 吸 is for more forceful inhaling or sucking.
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 吮, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (shǔn). This word is informal and is often used in casual conversation rather than formal writing. Common collocations include 吮吸 (shǔn xī) meaning 'to suck' and 吮指 (shǔn zhǐ) meaning 'to lick fingers'.
Although 吮 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects with basic vocabulary related to eating and drinking. Students should focus on pronunciation and the context in which this verb can be used, as it enhances descriptive language skills.
Learners often confuse 吮 with 吸 (xī), which means 'to inhale' or 'to suck' more generally. For example, saying 吸糖 (xī táng) instead of 吮糖 (shǔn táng) for 'sucking candy' is incorrect; the correct term emphasizes the action of sucking rather than inhaling.
Pronunciation of 吮
Drill the tone of 吮 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 吮
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 允 represents the sound.
mouth
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 吮
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 允 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half允 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymouth
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 吮? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 吮?
Decomposition of 吮
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 吮?
How to say to suck, to sip, to lick in Chinese
“to suck, to sip, to lick” in Chinese is吮
The character 吮 (shǔn) means to suck, sip, or lick. It is commonly used in contexts related to eating or drinking, such as sucking on candy or sipping a drink. The term carries a nuance of drawing liquid or flavor into the mouth, often in a gentle or pleasurable manner.
When to use 吮
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 吮, as it is pronounced with a falling tone (shǔn). This word is informal and is often used in casual conversation rather than formal writing. Common collocations include 吮吸 (shǔn xī) meaning 'to suck' and 吮指 (shǔn zhǐ) meaning 'to lick fingers'.
吮 or something close to it
吮 (shǔn) vs 吸 (xī) — use 吮 for gentle sucking or sipping, while 吸 is for more forceful inhaling or sucking.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 吮 with 吸 (xī), which means 'to inhale' or 'to suck' more generally. For example, saying 吸糖 (xī táng) instead of 吮糖 (shǔn táng) for 'sucking candy' is incorrect; the correct term emphasizes the action of sucking rather than inhaling.
Write 吮
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 吮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 吮
吮 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
婴儿____吸时，会有更多的奶水流出来。
As the baby suckles, a further supply of milk is generated.
Example Sentences for 吮 (4)
Word Family of 吮
Compound Meaning
What does 吮 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 吮
The correct pronunciation is shǔn, with a falling tone.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 吮?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.