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哭鼻子 (kū bí zi) — (colloquial) to cry or whimper (especially in a childish or whiny way)

Definition

A colloquial, slightly childish way to say 'cry' or 'snivel' — softer and more teasing than simply 哭. Often used to comfort or gently scold someone (e.g. children) for crying.

verb
(colloquial) to cry or whimper (especially in a childish or whiny way)

Examples

  • 哭鼻子。
    Zhè hái zi yòu kū bí zi le.
    This child is crying again.
  • 。
    Tā kū le yì chǎng bí zi.
    She had a good cry.
  • 哭鼻子，。
    Bié kū bí zi le, méi shén me dà bù liǎo de.
    Don't cry, it's not a big deal.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

哭kūcry
鼻子nose
鼻bínose子zǐ
后缀Suffix

哭" (cry) and "鼻" (nose) form a colloquial way to say crying, often whiny.

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
吅吅xuānto speak loudly
Sound part声符shēngfú
獄
獄yù哭kū
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

Early 哭 showed 吅, loudly, above a long-haired person; that lower part later became dog-like shapes. Later, 哭 was analyzed as 吅 plus 獄 for sound.

Open 哭 →

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
自自zìnose
Sound part声符shēngfú
畀
畀bì鼻bí
Same sound today

鼻 pairs 自, meaning nose, with 畀, which gives the sound.

Open 鼻 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →
Appears in
Emotions & Feelings

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