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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to spit out' with 吐 (tǔ)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    吐 + Object

    Explanation

    吐 (tǔ) means "to spit out" or "to expel from the mouth." It is used both literally, as in spitting out food, and figuratively in some expressions. The famous tongue twister 吃葡萄不吐葡萄皮儿 ("eat grapes without spitting out the skin") showcases this word playfully.

    Examples

    • 这个鱼刺太多了，吃一口就要吐好几根。

      zhège yú cì tài duō le, chī yī kǒu jiù yào tǔ hǎo jǐ gēn.

      This fish has too many bones—every bite and you have to spit out several.

    • 小孩儿尝了一口药就吐出来了。

      xiǎoháir cháng le yī kǒu yào jiù tǔ chūlái le.

      The child took one taste of the medicine and spat it out.

    • 西瓜籽别吞下去，记得吐掉。

      xīguā zǐ bié tūn xiàqù, jìde tǔ diào.

      Don't swallow watermelon seeds—remember to spit them out.

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