Meanings of 舐
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About 舐
Podcast: 舐
Podcast: 舐
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AI Study Notes for 舐
舔 (tiǎn) - 舐 (shì) is more formal and literary, while 舔 (tiǎn) is more commonly used in everyday speech.
Imagine a dog named 'Shi' (pronounced shì) happily licking up its bowl of water. The character 舐 has the radical for 'tongue' (舌) inside it, reminding you that licking is an action done with the tongue.
While 舐 is a formal term, it is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to simpler words like 'lick' (舔, tiǎn). Be careful with the tone; the fourth tone can change the meaning entirely. Common collocations include 舐水 (shì shuǐ, to lap up water).
Although 舐 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, learners at this level should focus on understanding characters with similar radicals, like 舌 (shé, tongue) and other verbs related to actions involving the mouth. Familiarity with 舐 can enhance vocabulary related to animal behavior.
In traditional Chinese culture, animals, especially dogs, are often depicted as loyal companions that show affection by licking. This character can evoke imagery of such bonds in literature and art.
Learners often confuse 舐 (shì) with 舔 (tiǎn) due to their similar meanings. For example, saying '舐一个冰淇淋' (shì yīgè bīngqílín) instead of '舔一个冰淇淋' (tiǎn yīgè bīngqílín) is incorrect; the latter is the appropriate term for licking an ice cream.
Pronunciation of 舐
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Etymology of 舐
Phonosemantic compound. 舌 represents the meaning and 氏 represents the sound.
tongue
Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 舐
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Write 舐
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Grammar Patterns of 舐
舐 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. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
猫把碗里的牛奶____完了.
The cat lapped up the milk from a bowl.
Example Sentences for 舐 (1)
Cultural Notes for 舐
In traditional Chinese culture, animals, especially dogs, are often depicted as loyal companions that show affection by licking. This character can evoke imagery of such bonds in literature and art.
Word Family of 舐
Compound Meaning
What does 舐 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 舐
舐 (shì) is a more formal way to say 'to lick,' often used in literary contexts, while 舔 (tiǎn) is the more common and colloquial term.