嗑 (kē) - To crack something between the teeth & to bite or chew hard objects
嗑 · kē
To crack something between the teeth;
to bite or chew hard objects;
to consume (especially seeds, nuts, or melon seeds).
To crack something between the teethto bite or chew hard objectsto consume (especially seeds, nuts, or melon seeds).
Usage highlights
Crack melon seedsBite hard objectsChat while cracking seedsCrack sunflower seedsNibble on nutsCrack watermelon seeds
Usage & contexts
Examples
- He likes to crack sunflower seeds (嗑瓜子).
- The squirrel was nibbling on nuts (嗑坚果).
- They sat around chatting and cracking melon seeds (嗑着瓜子聊天).
Collocations
- Crack melon seeds(嗑瓜子)
- Bite hard objects(嗑硬物)
- Chat while cracking seeds(边嗑边聊)
- Crack sunflower seeds(嗑葵花子)
- Nibble on nuts(嗑坚果)
- Crack watermelon seeds(嗑西瓜子)
Idioms
- Chatting and cracking melon seeds(闲嗑牙)
- Casual chit-chat(唠嗑)
- Idle gossip(嗑牙料嘴)
Cultural background
FAQ- In Chinese culture, cracking melon seeds (嗑瓜子) is a common social activity during gatherings, festivals, or while watching television.
- The character is often associated with casual, leisurely activities and informal social interactions.
- The sound and action of cracking seeds is culturally recognized as part of relaxed social atmospheres.