扑 (pū) - To rush at & to pounce on

扑Tone 1

pū ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 扌

柠七

扑 · pū

To rush at;

to pounce on;

to attack;

to beat;

to pat;

to flap;

to dab;

to apply (powder, etc.

);

to devote oneself to.

To rush atto pounce onto attack

Usage highlights

To pounceTo attack fiercelyMoth flying into flameTo devote oneself toTo beat outTo pat powder

Synonyms

  • 打— to hit, to strike
  • 击— to hit, to strike
  • 拍— to pat, to clap

Antonyms

  • 躲— to dodge, to avoid
  • 避— to avoid, to evade

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The cat pounced on the mouse (猫扑向老鼠).
  • He patted the dust off his clothes (他扑打衣服上的灰尘).
  • The moth flew into the flame (飞蛾扑火).
  • She applied powder to her face (她往脸上扑粉).

Collocations

  • To pounce(扑向)
  • To attack fiercely(猛扑)
  • Moth flying into flame(飞蛾扑火)
  • To devote oneself to(扑在)
  • To beat out (a fire)(扑灭)
  • To pat powder(扑粉)

Idioms

  • Like a moth flying into a flame(飞蛾扑火)
  • To throw oneself into work heart and soul(一心扑在工作上)
  • The wind howls and the waves beat wildly(风号浪扑)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 扑 originally depicted the action of striking or beating with the hand, as seen in its hand radical (扌).
  • The idiom '飞蛾扑火' (moth flying into flame) is a common metaphor for self-destruction or being drawn to one's doom.
  • In modern usage, 扑 is also associated with the concept of devotion or throwing oneself into an activity.

FAQ