釂 (jiào) - to drain a cup & to drink to the bottom

釂Tone 4

jiào ｜ 24 strokes ｜ radical:

健傑

釂 · jiào

to drain a cup;

to drink to the bottom;

to drink up completely.

to drain a cupto drink to the bottomto drink up completely.

Usage highlights

drain the cupdrink up completelytoast and drainurge to drink upempty the wine cupdrain in one gulp

Synonyms

  • 尽— to exhaust; to use up (in drinking context)
  • 干— to dry; to do something completely (as in 干杯 - bottoms up)

Antonyms

  • 斟— to pour (wine or tea)
  • 浅尝— to taste lightly; to sip

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He drained the cup in one gulp (一饮而釂).
  • The host urged the guests to drink up (主人劝客釂).
  • They drank toasts until their cups were empty (举杯相釂).

Collocations

  • drain the cup(釂杯)
  • drink up completely(饮釂)
  • toast and drain(举釂)
  • urge to drink up(劝釂)
  • empty the wine cup(釂酒)
  • drain in one gulp(一釂)

Idioms

  • Drain the cup to show sincerity(釂以示诚)
  • Raise the cup and drain it(举杯而釂)
  • Drink up to express respect(釂以表敬)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originates from ancient Chinese drinking rituals and banquets where draining one's cup showed respect or acceptance of a toast.
  • Common in classical literature describing feasts, celebrations, or drinking games among scholars and officials.
  • Reflects traditional Chinese drinking etiquette where finishing one's drink demonstrated sincerity and goodwill.

FAQ