About
呵 is a phono-semantic compound: the mouth radical 口 indicates a vocal or breathing action, while 可 gives the sound. Its original meaning is the act of exhaling breath, often to warm the hands or blow on something. From this developed the sense of scolding or berating someone loudly, as well as representations of laughter or sighing. In modern text-based communication, it frequently serves as an onomatopoeic expression or a casual modal particle conveying amusement.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他呵呵地笑了。
妈妈呵护着孩子。
别呵斥小孩子。
呵呵，这真有趣。
他呵了一口气在玻璃上。
她小心翼翼地呵护着花园。
父亲呵斥了他的不负责任。
在寒冷的早晨，他呵出白雾。
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