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擤 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
xǐngto blow the nose with fingersv, 17 strokes, radical 扌, rank #22165, Very Hard
xǐngto blow one's noseunknown, 17 strokes, radical 扌, rank #22165, Very Hard
xǐng(xing3) T3
  1. 1to blow the nose with fingers
  2. 2to blow one's nose
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March 24, 2026

xǐng(xing3)

The verb 擤 (xǐng) means to blow one's nose, typically using one's fingers rather than a tissue. This action is commonly associated with relieving nasal congestion or clearing mucus, especially during a cold or allergy season. It's an informal term often used in everyday conversation and emphasizes a more personal approach to the act.

Strokes17RadicalFrequency#22165DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, blowing one's nose publicly may be viewed differently than in the West. It is often considered more acceptable to do so openly, reflecting a more practical attitude towards bodily functions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person named 'Xing' who always blows their nose with their fingers, causing a bit of a mess. The character 擤 has the radical 扌, which represents hand actions, reminding you that this is about using your hands to clear your nose.

Meanings of 擤

xǐng(xing3)
1to blow the nose with fingers
2to blow one's nose
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 擤

Simplified
17Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 擤

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AI Study Notes for 擤

Quick Contrast

擤 (xǐng) vs 鼻涕 (bítì) — 擤 refers specifically to the action of blowing one's nose, while 鼻涕 denotes the mucus itself.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person named 'Xing' who always blows their nose with their fingers, causing a bit of a mess. The character 擤 has the radical 扌, which represents hand actions, reminding you that this is about using your hands to clear your nose.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 擤 with the more formal term 鼻涕 (bítì), which means 'nasal mucus' or 'snot.' Remember to use 擤 in informal settings, as it's not typically used in written language. Also, be careful with the pronunciation; the third tone 'xǐng' can easily be mispronounced as 'xīng' (星), which means 'star.'

HSK Study Tips

Although 擤 is not part of the formal HSK vocabulary, it is important for daily conversation, especially if discussing health. Focus on understanding its usage in context, as well as practicing related vocabulary about health and hygiene.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, blowing one's nose publicly may be viewed differently than in the West. It is often considered more acceptable to do so openly, reflecting a more practical attitude towards bodily functions.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 擤 with the character 嗅 (xiù), which means 'to smell.' For example, saying '我擤花香' (wǒ xǐng huā xiāng) instead of '我嗅花香' (wǒ xiù huā xiāng) is incorrect; the first suggests blowing the scent instead of smelling it.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 擤

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Etymology of 擤

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

To use a hand 扌 to blow the nose 鼻

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 擤?

Decomposition of 擤

IDS Structure⿰扌鼻
Full Character
=
shou3
left
bi2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 擤?

Write 擤

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 擤

擤 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他掏出一块手帕,____了擤鼻子。

He took out a handkerchief and blew his nose.

Example Sentences for 擤 (3)

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1
他掏出一块手帕,擤了擤鼻子。

tā tāo chū yī kuài shǒu pà, , xǐng le xǐng bí。

He took out a handkerchief and blew his nose.
2
她伸手拿纸巾擤鼻涕。

tā shēn shǒu ná zhǐ jīn xǐng bí tì。

She reached for a Kleenex and blew her nose.
3
她轻轻擦了几下眼睛,擤了擤鼻涕。

tā qīng qīng cā le jī xià yǎn jīng, , xǐng le xǐng bí。

She dabbed her eyes and blew her nose.

Cultural Notes for 擤

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, blowing one's nose publicly may be viewed differently than in the West. It is often considered more acceptable to do so openly, reflecting a more practical attitude towards bodily functions.

Word Family of 擤

Words Containing This Character2
xǐngto blow one's nose
擤鼻涕to blow one's nose
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 擤 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 擤

No, 擤 is considered informal and is typically used in spoken language.