Definition
哇哇 is an onomatopoeia that imitates the sound of crying or wailing, often used in the reduplicated AA form. It can also figuratively refer to sweet talk or flattery (similar to 'blandishments' in English). The literal and figurative senses are distinguished by context: the former appears with crying verbs, the latter with speech verbs.
onomatopoeia
sound of crying or wailing
on.
(onomatopoeia, figurative) sweet talkflatteryblandishments
Examples
- 哇哇。Háizi wā wā de kū le yì zhěng yè.The child cried all night with a wailing sound.
- 哇哇，。Tā zhǐ huì shuō yìxiē wā wā hǎotīng de, shíjì shénme shì dōu bú zuò.He only knows how to say some sweet nothings, but doesn't actually do anything.
- 哇哇。Yuǎnyuǎn chuán lái yīng'ér de wā wā kūshēng.From far away came the crying sound of a baby.
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