嚅 (rú) - To move the mouth as if speaking & to mumble or murmur hesitantly.

嚅Tone 2

rú ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

儒三

嚅 · rú

To move the mouth as if speaking;

to mumble or murmur hesitantly.

To move the mouth as if speakingto mumble or murmur hesitantly.

Usage highlights

Mumble hesitantlyMove the mouth as if speakingMurmur softlySpeak hesitantlyMutter indistinctly

Synonyms

  • 嗫— to move the mouth as if speaking
  • 喃— to murmur, to mumble
  • 嘟囔— to mutter, to mumble

Antonyms

  • 喊— to shout, to yell
  • 嚷— to shout, to cry out
  • 朗— clear, loud

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He mumbled a few words (嚅嗫) and fell silent.
  • She hesitated to speak (嚅动嘴唇).
  • The shy child murmured softly (嚅嚅低语).

Collocations

  • Mumble hesitantly(嚅嗫)
  • Move the mouth as if speaking(嚅动)
  • Murmur softly(嚅嚅)
  • Speak hesitantly(嚅嚅而言)
  • Mutter indistinctly(嚅嚅低语)

Idioms

  • Hesitant in speech(嗫嚅不前)
  • Mumbling and hesitant(嚅嚅嗫嗫)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used to depict hesitant or timid speech in literary contexts.
  • Commonly appears in classical Chinese literature to characterize indecisive or fearful speakers.
  • The character conveys a sense of verbal uncertainty or reluctance.

FAQ