Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to spit' or 'to vomit' with 吐 (tǔ)

    Actions & Events
    Direction & Movement

    Structure

    Subject + 吐 + Object

    Explanation

    The verb 吐 (tǔ) means 'to spit out' or 'to vomit,' describing the action of expelling something from the mouth. When pronounced as tù, it specifically means 'to vomit.' It is a key word in the famous Chinese tongue twister about eating grapes and spitting out grape skins.

    Examples

    • 医生说他吃坏了肚子，一直在吐。

      yīshēng shuō tā chī huài le dùzi, yìzhí zài tù.

      The doctor said he ate something bad and has been vomiting.

    • 小孩子把葡萄皮吐在了桌子上。

      xiǎo háizi bǎ pútao pí tǔ zài le zhuōzi shàng.

      The child spit out the grape skins onto the table.

    • 她晕车晕得厉害，下车就吐了。

      tā yùnchē yùn de lìhài, xià chē jiù tù le.

      She got really carsick and threw up as soon as she got out of the car.

    Expressing 'to spit' or 'to vomit' with 吐 (tǔ) | Chinese Grammar