Definition
咬 (yǎo) is the general word for 'to bite' — using teeth to cut or grip something. 啃 (kěn, HSK7) is more specific: 'to gnaw' on something hard (like a bone). 掐 (qiā, HSK7) is different: it means 'to pinch' with the fingers, not the mouth.
verb
to biteto nip
Easily confused
- 绞jiǎolook-aliketo twist (strands, wires, etc.) into a thread or coil
- 要yàosound-aliketo want, to need
- 药yàosound-alikemedicine
- 摇yáosound-aliketo shake
- 腰yāosound-alikewaist, lower back
- 邀yāosound-aliketo invite
- 窑yáosound-alikekiln (for firing pottery, bricks, or lime)
Examples
- 咬。Tā xiǎoxīn de yǎo le yì kǒu miànbāo.He carefully took a bite of the bread.
- 咬。Nà zhī gǒu chàdiǎn yǎo dào wǒ.That dog almost bit me.
- 咬，。Wǒ yǎo le yì kǒu píngguǒ, juéde bú tài tián.I took a bite of the apple and found it not very sweet.
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