吻 (wěn) — (verb) to kiss; (noun) a kiss

Definition

吻 is a more formal word for 'kiss,' used in both writing and as a noun (a kiss); 亲 is the everyday verb 'to kiss.' Don't confuse with 嘴/口/嘴巴, which mean 'mouth.'

verb
to kiss
noun
a kiss
Measure word · 个
Easily confused

Examples

  • 吻。
    Tā gěi le tā yí gè shēn shēn de wěn.
    He gave her a deep kiss.
  • 吻。
    Tā men wěn dé hěn rè liè.
    They kissed passionately.
  • 吻。
    Tā qīng qīng de wěn le hái zi de liǎn jiá.
    She gently kissed the child's cheek.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
口口kǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
勿
勿wù吻wěn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

吻 pairs 口 (mouth) with 勿, which gives the sound.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 5Romance & Marriage2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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