Definition
蹬腿 is a separable verb (离合词) that literally means 'to kick one's legs' — like a baby kicking or a swimmer's leg motion. In colloquial slang, it can also mean 'to kick the bucket' (die), used humorously or disrespectfully. As a separable verb, you can insert other elements between the two characters: 蹬了一下腿 ('kicked once with the leg'). Use with care in serious contexts.
v.o.
to kick one's legs (as in swimming, cycling, or a baby's movement)(slang, humorous) to kick the bucketto die
Examples
- 。Yīng'ér tǎng zài chuáng shàng gāoxìng de dēng zhe tuǐ.The baby lay on the bed happily kicking its legs.
- ，。Tā yóuyǒng shí yònglì dēng tuǐ, yóu de hěn kuài.He kicked his legs hard while swimming and swam very fast.
- 。Nà zhī lǎo gǒu zuìhòu dēng le yíxià tuǐ jiù méi le.That old dog kicked once and then was gone.
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