About
The character "叽", with its traditional form "嘰", structurally combines the mouth radical "口" with a phonetic component, initially "幾" and later simplified to "几", to denote sounds produced orally. Historically centered on the emission of faint noises like chirping or muttering, its meaning has persisted in this auditory realm, yet modern application often extends to describe light chatter or repetitive vocalizations, as seen in formations such as "叽咕" or the mimetic "叽叽喳喳". The alteration from "嘰" to "叽" modified the phonetic element while retaining the character's essential link to sound, illustrating an adjustment in form that continues to carry its original semantic focus.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
小鸟叽叽喳喳地叫。
他叽咕着表示不满。
孩子们在院子里叽叽喳喳。
厨房里传来叽叽的响声。
她叽里咕噜地说着外语。
老鼠在夜晚叽叽地叫。
他老是叽叽歪歪地找借口。
寒风吹过，旧门发出叽叽声。