Definition
搔首弄姿 is a four-character set phrase (成语) that describes someone — usually a woman — deliberately posing, preening, or acting coquettish to attract attention or flirt. The literal image is 'scratching one's head and making poses.' It carries a mildly critical or teasing tone, suggesting the behavior is affected or overly done. You can use it to describe someone's flirtatious gestures in a dismissive or humorous way.
f.e.
to act coquettishlyto flirt by posing and preening
Examples
- 搔首弄姿，。Tā zǒng zài jìngtóu qián sāo shǒu lòng, ràng rén kàn zhe bú tài zìrán.She always poses coquettishly in front of the camera, which looks a bit unnatural.
- 搔首弄姿。Tā fǎngǎn nàxiē zài shèjiāo chǎnghé sāo shǒu lòng de xíngwéi.He dislikes that kind of affected flirtatious behavior at social events.
- 搔首弄姿。Lǎo yǎnyuán xiào tā niánqīng shíhou yě ài sāo shǒu lòng.The older actress laughed that she also used to act coquettishly when she was young.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.