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.
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.
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
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 舐
Phonosemantic compound. 舌 represents the meaning and 氏 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half舌 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half氏 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaytongue
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 舐? 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
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Decomposition of 舐
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How to say to lick, to lap up in Chinese
“to lick, to lap up” in Chinese is舐
The character 舐 (shì) means 'to lick' or 'to lap up.' It is often used in contexts involving animals, such as dogs licking water or food. This character can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is overly flattering or sycophantic.
When to use 舐
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).
舐 or something close to it
舔 (tiǎn) - 舐 (shì) is more formal and literary, while 舔 (tiǎn) is more commonly used in everyday speech.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 舐
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Practice writing 舐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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)
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.
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