蹭 (cèng) - to rub against & to scrape

蹭Tone 4

cèng ｜ 19 strokes ｜ radical:

偲嫦

蹭 · cèng

to rub against;

to scrape;

to move slowly;

to freeload;

to dawdle;

to loiter.

to rub againstto scrapeto move slowly

Usage highlights

rub againstscrape lightlyfreeload a mealhitch a rideloiter aboutget a freebie

Synonyms

  • 磨— to grind; to rub
  • 擦— to wipe; to rub
  • 揩— to wipe; to scrounge

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The cat rubbed against my leg (猫蹭我的腿).
  • He scraped the car while parking (停车时蹭了车).
  • She freeloaded a meal off her friend (蹭朋友一顿饭).
  • Don't dawdle, we're going to be late (别蹭了，我们要迟到了).

Collocations

  • rub against(蹭到)
  • scrape lightly(蹭破)
  • freeload a meal(蹭饭)
  • hitch a ride(蹭车)
  • loiter about(蹭来蹭去)
  • get a freebie(蹭福利)

Idioms

  • Procrastinating and dawdling(磨磨蹭蹭)
  • Rubbing shoulders with the influential(蹭权贵)
  • Moving at a snail's pace(慢慢蹭蹭)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used colloquially to describe getting something for free, especially in modern internet slang.
  • Can carry a slightly negative connotation when referring to freeloading or taking advantage.
  • The character combines the foot radical (足) with the character 曾, suggesting movement related to feet with a phonetic component.

FAQ