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March 24, 2026
咀嚼jǔjué(ju3jue2)
咀嚼 (ju3 jue2) means 'to chew' in a literal sense, referring to the act of breaking down food with the teeth. Figuratively, it can also mean to ponder or think deeply about something, reflecting a careful and thorough consideration of ideas or concepts.
Frequency#13875DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of chewing can symbolize taking time to reflect, akin to the proverb 'slow down to chew the food, and think carefully about decisions.' This emphasizes the value of patience and thoroughness in both eating and thinking.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise old sage sitting thoughtfully, chewing on a piece of tough meat while pondering life's mysteries. The character 咀 (ju3) resembles a mouth, while 嚼 (jue2) has elements suggesting action and thought. Picture this sage chewing slowly, digesting both food and wisdom.
Meanings of 咀嚼
jǔjué(ju3jue2)
1to chew
2to think over
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About 咀嚼
咀嚼Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#13875Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 咀嚼
Podcast: 咀嚼
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AI Study Notes for 咀嚼
Quick Contrast
咀嚼 (to chew) vs 嚼 (to chew, informal) — use 咀嚼 for a more formal or literary context.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wise old sage sitting thoughtfully, chewing on a piece of tough meat while pondering life's mysteries. The character 咀 (ju3) resembles a mouth, while 嚼 (jue2) has elements suggesting action and thought. Picture this sage chewing slowly, digesting both food and wisdom.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context when using 咀嚼; it can refer to both eating and thinking. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar words that imply superficial thinking. In informal contexts, it might be used more casually, while in formal writing, it conveys deeper analysis.
HSK Study Tips
As a word at HSK Level 6, 咀嚼 connects to advanced vocabulary around food and cognition. Students should focus on its dual meanings and practice using it in both contexts, particularly in writing essays or discussions about thought processes.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of chewing can symbolize taking time to reflect, akin to the proverb 'slow down to chew the food, and think carefully about decisions.' This emphasizes the value of patience and thoroughness in both eating and thinking.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 咀嚼 in contexts where a simpler word like 吃 (to eat) would suffice. For example, saying '我咀嚼午餐' (I chew lunch) is awkward; instead, use '我吃午餐' (I eat lunch).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 咀嚼
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Grammar Patterns of 咀嚼
咀嚼 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.
The doctor advised him to chew thoroughly at every meal to aid digestion.
vto think over2
9
在做出任何决定之前，他总是仔细咀嚼所有可能的后果。
Zài zuòchū rènhé juédìng zhīqián, tā zǒngshì zǐxì jǔjué suǒyǒu kěnéng de hòuguǒ.
Before making any decision, he always thinks over all possible consequences carefully.
10
她花了几天时间咀嚼这份报告中的每一个细节。
Tā huāle jǐ tiān shíjiān jǔjué zhè fèn bàogào zhōng de měi yī gè xìjié.
She spent several days thinking over every detail in the report.
Cultural Notes for 咀嚼
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of chewing can symbolize taking time to reflect, akin to the proverb 'slow down to chew the food, and think carefully about decisions.' This emphasizes the value of patience and thoroughness in both eating and thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions about 咀嚼
咀嚼 is a more formal term for the act of chewing, while 嚼 refers specifically to the action itself. 咀嚼 often implies a deeper consideration beyond just eating.
Yes, 咀嚼 can be used figuratively to mean thinking over a problem or idea, emphasizing a careful and thorough thought process.
