啐 (cuì) - To spit & to expectorate

啐Tone 4

cuì ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

啐 · cuì

To spit;

to expectorate;

an interjection expressing contempt or disdain;

also used in the context of tasting a small amount of alcohol.

To spitto expectoratean interjection expressing contempt or disdain

Usage highlights

Spit salivaSpit with contemptTaste wineSpit phlegmSpit at someoneContemptuous spit

Synonyms

  • 吐— to spit (more general term)
  • 呸— interjection of contempt (similar sound)

Antonyms

  • 咽— to swallow (opposite action)
  • 吞— to gulp down (opposite action)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He spat on the ground in disgust (啐了一口唾沫).
  • "Bah!" she exclaimed in contempt ("啐!" she said).
  • The elder took a small sip of the ritual wine (啐了一口酒).
  • He was so angry he nearly spat (他气得差点啐出来).

Collocations

  • Spit saliva(啐唾沫)
  • Spit with contempt(啐了一口)
  • Taste wine(啐酒)
  • Spit phlegm(啐痰)
  • Spit at someone(向某人啐去)
  • Contemptuous spit(鄙夷地啐)

Idioms

  • Spit and curse(啐骂)
  • Spit on the face(啐面)
  • Spit and scold(啐斥)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used in ritual contexts, like ancestral worship, where a small sip of wine (啐酒) was part of the ceremony.
  • The act of spitting (啐) is strongly associated with contempt and insult in Chinese culture.
  • Using this sound as an interjection conveys strong disapproval or disdain.

FAQ