Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
吮shǔn(shun3)
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.
Strokes7Radical口Frequency#16487DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sucking on food, such as candy or fruits, is often associated with enjoyment and indulgence. It reflects a leisurely approach to eating, contrasting with Western habits of quick consumption.
Memory Tip
Imagine a baby sucking on its thumb, relishing the taste and comfort. The character 吮 has two main components: the mouth radical (口) at the bottom, symbolizing actions related to the mouth, and the phonetic component (shǔn) suggesting the sound. Picture the baby savoring every sip!
Meanings of 吮
shǔn(shun3)
1to suck, to sip, to lick
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 吮
吮Simplified
7Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 吮
Podcast: 吮
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 吮
Quick Contrast
吮 (shǔn) vs 吸 (xī) — use 吮 for gentle sucking or sipping, while 吸 is for more forceful inhaling or sucking.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a baby sucking on its thumb, relishing the taste and comfort. The character 吮 has two main components: the mouth radical (口) at the bottom, symbolizing actions related to the mouth, and the phonetic component (shǔn) suggesting the sound. Picture the baby savoring every sip!
Usage Notes
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'.
HSK Study Tips
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.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sucking on food, such as candy or fruits, is often associated with enjoyment and indulgence. It reflects a leisurely approach to eating, contrasting with Western habits of quick consumption.
Common Mistakes
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.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 吮
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 吮 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
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.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
Exercise 1 of 4
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)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
婴儿吮吸时，会有更多的奶水流出来。
yīng ér shǔn xī shí， ， huì yǒu gēng duō de nǎi shuǐ liú chū。
As the baby suckles, a further supply of milk is generated.
The boy sucked his thumb and stared at Hebburn with huge, round eyes.
Cultural Notes for 吮
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, sucking on food, such as candy or fruits, is often associated with enjoyment and indulgence. It reflects a leisurely approach to eating, contrasting with Western habits of quick consumption.
Word Family of 吮
Words Containing This Character3
吮shǔnto suck
吸吮to suck in
吮吸to suck
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 吮 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 吮
The correct pronunciation is shǔn, with a falling tone.
No, 吮 is generally used in informal contexts and is not suitable for formal writing.
Yes, 吸 (xī) meaning 'to inhale or suck' can be a synonym, but 吮 specifically relates to the action of sucking or licking.
