Definition
咂嘴 is a verb-object compound (离合词) meaning to smack your lips or click your tongue. The sound can express admiration, praise, surprise, or even mild disapproval depending on the context. Because it's a separable verb, you can insert aspect markers, measure words, or durations between 咂 and 嘴 — for example, 咂了两次嘴 ('clicked the tongue twice'). The action itself is a quick, audible lip or tongue movement.
v.o.
to smack one's lips or click one's tongue (expressing admiration, surprise, praise, or dissatisfaction)
Examples
- ，咂嘴。Tā cháng le yì kǒu cài, rěn bú zhù zā zuǐ chēngzàn.He tasted the dish and couldn't help smacking his lips in praise.
- ，咂嘴。Lǎorén tīng wán gùshì, mǎnyì de zā zuǐ.The old man, after hearing the story, smacked his lips with satisfaction.
- ，。Tā zā le liǎng xià zuǐ, diǎn diǎn tóu méi shuōhuà.He clicked his tongue twice, nodded, and didn't say anything.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.