unknown, 11 strokes, radical 口, rank #29903, Very Hard
啜
chuài
to drink, to sip; to sob, to weep
vg, 11 strokes, radical 口, rank #29903, Very Hard
啜
chuài
(literary) to drink
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 口, rank #29903, Very Hard
chuài(chuai4)
primary
T4
1to drink, to sip; to sob, to weep
2(literary) to drink
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March 24, 2026
啜chuài(chuai4)
The character 啜 (chuài) primarily refers to the act of drinking or sipping, often in a gentle or delicate manner. It can also convey the emotional act of sobbing or weeping, particularly in a literary context, suggesting a soft or subdued expression of sadness.
Strokes11Radical口Frequency#29903DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, the act of sobbing or weeping is often portrayed with deep emotional resonance, reflecting cultural values around the expression of feelings and the significance of tears in conveying sorrow or loss.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small child sipping from a tiny cup, making soft noises as they drink. The '口' radical represents the mouth, while the '啜' character itself resembles a gentle wave of sorrow, like the soft sobbing of the child when they spill their drink.
Meanings of 啜
chuài(chuai4)
primary
1to drink, to sip; to sob, to weep
2(literary) to drink
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 啜
啜Simplified
11Strokes
口Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 啜
Podcast: 啜
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AI Study Notes for 啜
Quick Contrast
啜 (chuài) vs 嚎 (háo) — use 啜 for gentle sipping or soft weeping, while 嚎 conveys loud crying or howling.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small child sipping from a tiny cup, making soft noises as they drink. The '口' radical represents the mouth, while the '啜' character itself resembles a gentle wave of sorrow, like the soft sobbing of the child when they spill their drink.
Usage Notes
啜 is often used in literary or poetic contexts, making it less common in everyday conversation. Students should be cautious with its pronunciation, ensuring they don't confuse it with similar-sounding words. Common collocations include 啜泣 (to sob softly).
HSK Study Tips
Although 啜 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be associated with more advanced language studies focusing on emotions and literature. Students at this level should focus on recognizing its literary usage and connecting it to verbs related to emotions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, the act of sobbing or weeping is often portrayed with deep emotional resonance, reflecting cultural values around the expression of feelings and the significance of tears in conveying sorrow or loss.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 啜 with 喝 (hē), using it inappropriately in casual contexts; for example, saying '我想啜水' (wǒ xiǎng chuài shuǐ) instead of '我想喝水' (wǒ xiǎng hē shuǐ) for 'I want to drink water'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 啜
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Grammar Patterns of 啜
啜 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Hillsden took a sip of tea, but it was stone cold.
3
“ 唉, " 嘉莉啜泣着. " 唉, 唉 -- 呜 -- 呜. ”
“ “," āi , " jiā lì chuò." qì, zháo-- . "-- āi.”
" Oh,'sobbed Carrie, " oh, oh -- oo -- o! "
Cultural Notes for 啜
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature, the act of sobbing or weeping is often portrayed with deep emotional resonance, reflecting cultural values around the expression of feelings and the significance of tears in conveying sorrow or loss.
Word Family of 啜
Words Containing This Character2
啜chuàito sip
啜泣to sob
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 啜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 啜
喝 (hē) is a more common term for drinking, while 啜 (chuài) implies a softer, more delicate or emotional act of sipping.
It's primarily used in literary contexts, so it may sound overly formal or poetic in casual conversation.
It is pronounced as 'chuài', with a falling tone, which is crucial for distinguishing it from other similar-sounding words.
