Definition
抿 is a verb with a core sense of 'gently press or smooth with slight pressure,' but it applies to three distinct contexts. For hair or clothing, it means to smooth down with a brush or hand (e.g., 抿头发). For the lips, it means to press them together gently, often to show concentration, disapproval, or to suppress emotion (抿嘴). For drinks, it means to take a very small sip, barely wetting the lips (抿了一口). The context determines which meaning is active.
v.
(v) to smooth (hair, clothing, etc.) with a brush or by pressing(v) to purse (one's lips) or close lightly(v) to take a small sipto sip
Examples
- 抿抿,。Tā yòng shuǐ bǎ tóufa mǐn le mǐn, ràng tā gèng fútiē.She smoothed her hair with water to make it lie flatter.
- ,抿抿,。Tā tīng le zhè huà, zhǐ shì mǐn le mǐn zuǐ, méi shuōhuà.He just pursed his lips at that comment and didn't say anything.
- ,抿。Tā bù hē jiǔ, zhǐ mǐn le yì xiǎo kǒu chá.He doesn't drink alcohol; he just took a tiny sip of tea.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.