撒泼 (sā pō) — to throw a tantrum, to make a scene (in a rude/unreasonable way)

Definition

Verb phrase meaning to throw a loud, rude tantrum in public — stronger and more vulgar than 哭闹 or 发脾气; usually describes an adult behaving shamelessly to get their way.

verb
to throw a tantrumto make a scene (in a rude/unreasonable way)

Examples

  • 撒泼。
    Tā yòu zài diàn lǐ sā pō le.
    She is throwing a tantrum in the store again.
  • 。
    Tā hē zuì le jiù kāi shǐ sā qǐ pō lái.
    He got drunk and started throwing a tantrum.
  • 撒泼。
    Bié zài guǎng chǎng sā pō.
    Don't make a scene in the square.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

撒sāthrow out
泼pōunruly behavior

撒 as throw out and 泼 as unruly behavior combine to mean make a rude scene.

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
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
散
散sàn撒sǎ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

撒 combines 扌 (hand) with 散, which gives the sound; the hand part shows scattering with the hand.

Open 撒 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 潑; 泼 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵氵shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
發
發fā潑pō
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 潑 uses 氵 for water and 發 to suggest the pronunciation; the simplified 泼 is a later shorthand.

Open 泼 →

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