挑逗性 (tiǎo dòu xìng) — provocativeness, tantalizing quality; titillating nature

Definition

A noun meaning the 'provocative, teasing quality' of a look, outfit, or tone that stirs attraction or curiosity. Often carries a flirtatious or sensual connotation, stronger than simply 'interesting' (趣味).

noun
provocativenesstantalizing qualitytitillating nature

Examples

  • 挑逗性。
    Tā jīn tiān de dǎ bàn hěn yǒu tiǎo dòu xìng.
    Her outfit today is very provocative.
  • 挑逗性。
    Zhè zhǒng shí wù de tiǎo dòu xìng ràng rén nán yǐ kàng jù.
    The tantalizing quality of this food is hard to resist.
  • 挑逗性。
    Tā shuō huà de yǔ qì dài zhe yì zhǒng shén mì de tiǎo dòu xìng.
    His tone of speech carries a mysterious titillating quality.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

挑逗provoke or tease
挑tiāoprovoke逗dòutease
联合Side by side
性xìngquality

挑逗 provokes or teases, and 性 expresses that quality.

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
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
兆
兆zhào挑tiāo
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

挑 has 手, meaning hand, and 兆, which gives the sound.

Open 挑 →

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
辶Written in full as辵chuò
Sound part声符shēngfú
豆
豆dòu逗dòu
Same sound today

逗 pairs 辶, written in full as 辵, with 豆, which gives the sound.

Open 逗 →

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
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
生
生shēng性xìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

性 is built from 忄 (the heart) and 生 (a sound clue). The heart part connects the word to a person's inner nature or quality.

Open 性 →

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