Definition
启齿 is a formal verb meaning 'to start talking about something' or 'to bring up a topic'. It is a separable verb (离合词): the object or complement can split the two characters, as in 启不了齿 ('can't bring it up'). It is most often used in negative or hesitant contexts, especially with 难以 ('hard to') or 不便 ('not convenient to'), reflecting a cultural tendency to avoid direct or embarrassing topics.
v.o.
to start to talk about somethingto bring up (a topic, often in negative constructions)
Examples
- 。Zhè jiàn shì wǒ shízài nányǐ qǐ chǐ.I really find it hard to bring up this matter.
- ，。Tā yóuyù le bàntiān, zhōngyú qǐ le chǐ.He hesitated for a long time and finally spoke up.
- ，。Zài nà zhǒng chǎnghé, tā gēnběn qǐ bù liǎo chǐ.On that occasion, he simply couldn't bring himself to say anything.
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