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挑逗 (tiǎo dòu) — to entice, tease, or provoke (often with sexual or playful intent)

Definition

A verb meaning to tease or provoke someone, often with playful or flirtatious intent. Stronger than 逗 (simple teasing), with an implication of deliberately stirring up a reaction.

verb
to enticeteaseor provoke (often with sexual or playful intent)

Examples

  • 挑逗，。
    Tā yòng yǎn shén tiǎo dòu tā, ràng tā xīn tiào jiā sù.
    He teased her with his eyes, making her heart race.
  • 挑逗。
    Zhè bù diàn yǐng de qíng jié yǒu tiǎo dòu guān zhòng de yì wèi.
    The plot of this movie has a quality that tantalizes the audience.
  • 挑逗，。
    Tā gù yì tiǎo dòu tā, dòu tā kāi xīn.
    She deliberately teased him to make him happy.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

挑tiāostir
逗dòutease

挑逗 blends 挑 (stir) and 逗 (tease) into provoking or enticing.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
兆
兆zhào挑tiāo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

挑 has 手, meaning hand, and 兆, which gives the sound.

Open 挑 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
豆
豆dòu逗dòu
Same sound today

逗 pairs 辶, written in full as 辵, with 豆, which gives the sound.

Open 逗 →
Appears in
Communication & SpeechRomance & Marriage

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