About
嘁 is a phono-semantic compound that pairs the mouth radical 口 with the phonetic component 戚. The radical signals a connection to vocalizations and sounds, while 戚 suggests the pronunciation. As an onomatopoeia, it represents low, hushed noises like whispering, quiet talking, or subtle rustling. In literary and conversational contexts, it almost always appears in the reduplicated form 嘁嘁, describing the continuous, indistinct murmur of secretive chatter or the ambient hush of quiet settings. Beyond this auditory mimicry, it has no independent meaning.
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.