撒娇 (sā jiāo) — to act spoiled or coquettish (by whining, pouting, etc.)

Definition

撒娇 means to act like a spoiled child — whining or pouting to get attention or affection, usually in a cute or affectionate way. Common in close relationships (with a partner, parent, or friend); can sound playful or childish depending on tone.

verb
to act spoiled or coquettish (by whining, pouting, etc.)

Examples

  • 撒娇。
    Tā xǐ huan gēn nán péng you sā jiāo.
    She likes to act spoiled with her boyfriend.
  • 。
    Nà ge xiǎo hái r zài mā ma miàn qián sā le yí gè jiāo.
    That child acted spoiled in front of mom.
  • 撒娇，。
    Bié sā jiāo le, hǎo hǎo shuō huà.
    Stop acting spoiled and speak properly.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

撒sāthrow out
娇jiāocoquettishness

撒 as throw out and 娇 as coquettishness combine to mean display spoiled charm.

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
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
散
散sàn撒sǎ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

撒 combines 扌 (hand) with 散, which gives the sound; the hand part shows scattering with the hand.

Open 撒 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 嬌; 娇 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
女女nǚwoman
Sound part声符shēngfú
喬
喬qiáo嬌jiāo
Same sound today

The traditional form 嬌 has 女 (woman) beside 喬, which gave the sound; the simplified 娇 is a shorthand.

Open 娇 →

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