Definition
扑 (pū) describes a sudden, forward motion: pouncing, lunging, or throwing oneself into something. For 'flap/flutter', 扑 is used for wings (鸟扑翅膀), while 拍 (pāi) is a hand motion (拍手 clap) and 飘扬 (piāo yáng) is for flags waving in the wind. 忽悠 (hū you) means to sway or flicker, often with a sense of instability.
verb
to pounce onto lunge atto flapto flutter (wings, etc.)to throw oneself into (a task, work, etc.)
Easily confused
- 补bǔlook-aliketo repair, to mend (clothes, objects)
- 铺pūsound-aliketo spread, to lay flat (e.g., a sheet, a map)
- 处chǔlook-aliketo reside; to be situated at (a place or situation)
- 谱pǔsound-alike(noun) musical score; sheet music
Examples
- 扑。Māo pū xiàng lǎoshǔ.The cat pounced on the mouse.
- 扑。Tā pū xiàng dírén.He lunged at the enemy.
- 扑。Tā quán shēnxīn pū zài xuéxí shàng.She threw herself wholeheartedly into her studies.
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