Definition
抽丝 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning literally 'to reel silk from cocoons'. Figuratively, it describes doing something very slowly and methodically, like pulling silk thread. When used as a separable verb, the object 丝 can be separated by aspect markers or measure words: 抽了丝 (reeled some silk), 抽过丝 (have reeled silk). The figurative sense is often used in the idiom 抽丝剥茧 (to analyze step by step).
v.o.
to reel silk from cocoons(figurative) to do things slowly and methodically
Examples
- 抽丝。chōu sī shì zhìzuò sīchóu de dì yī bù.Reeling silk is the first step in making silk.
- 。Gōngrén cóng cánjiǎn shàng chōu le sī.The worker reeled silk from the cocoon.
- 抽丝。Tā zuòshì xiàng chōu sī yíyàng màn.He does things as slowly as reeling silk.
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