verb HSK 5
to press one's lips together · to purse one's lips
Meaning
This verb describes the physical action of pressing one's lips tightly together, often to suppress a smile, hold back words, or show subtle emotion. It's a delicate gesture commonly used to convey restraint, amusement, or thoughtfulness.
Usage
Native speakers use 抿嘴 to describe someone trying to hide a smile or hold back laughter, or when someone is carefully considering their words. It appears frequently in narrative writing to describe facial expressions and body language. The action suggests subtlety and self-control.
Examples
- 01她听到这个笑话后，抿嘴笑了起来。, .After hearing the joke, she smiled with her lips pressed together.
- 02他抿了抿嘴，似乎在考虑该怎么回答。, .He pressed his lips together, as if considering how to answer.
Characters
Common collocations
- 抿嘴一笑to smile while pursing one's lips
- 抿嘴不语to press one's lips together without speaking
- 抿着嘴笑to smile with pressed lips
Antonyms
Origin
抿 originally meant to smooth or brush something down (like smoothing hair), which extends naturally to the action of pressing the lips together smoothly.