Definition
打哈欠 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to yawn'. The verb 打 and the object 哈欠 can be split when you need to insert a measure word, duration, or other element — for example, 打了一个哈欠 ('yawned once') or 打了三个哈欠 ('yawned three times'). The object 哈欠 itself is a noun meaning 'yawn', so the structure is like 'do a yawn'. In everyday speech, you'll usually hear it in the separated form when counting or describing the yawn.
v.o.
to yawn
Examples
- 打哈欠。Tā kùn de yìzhí zài dá.He was so sleepy he kept yawning.
- 打哈欠，。Tā dǎ le yí ge dá, ránhòu jìxù kàn shū.She yawned once and then continued reading.
- 打哈欠。Kāihuì shí tā dǎ le sān ge dá.He yawned three times during the meeting.
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