Definition
唬人 is a colloquial separable verb (verb-object compound) meaning 'to bluff, scare, or deceive someone' — often through exaggeration or empty threats. Since it is a 离合词 (separate verb), the object 人 can be separated from 唬 with modifying elements inserted between them: e.g., 唬了我一次 ('scared me once'), 唬得人直发抖 ('scared people so much they trembled'). It is mainly used in spoken contexts, not formal writing.
v.o.
to bluff or intimidate someone with exaggerations or false bravadoto deceive or cheat someone by playing a hoax
Examples
- 唬人,。Nǐ bú yào hǔ le, wǒ zǎo jiù zhīdao zhēnxiàng.Don't bluff anymore — I've known the truth all along.
- ,。Tā hǔ le wǒ yí cì rén, wǒ zài yě bù xiāngxìn tā le.He once fooled me, and I no longer believe him.
- 唬人,。Zhè zhǒng huà jiù shì yòng lái hǔ de, bié dàngzhēn.That kind of talk is just meant to bluff you — don't take it seriously.
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