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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing a rumbling sound with 咕 (gū)

    Description & Modification
    Manner & Method

    Structure

    肚子 + 咕咕叫

    Explanation

    咕 (gū) is an onomatopoeia representing a rumbling or gurgling sound. It is most commonly reduplicated as 咕咕 to imitate the sound of a stomach growling (肚子咕咕叫) or a pigeon cooing. Like many Chinese onomatopoeia, it is typically doubled for a more natural and vivid effect.

    Examples

    • 中午没吃饭，肚子咕咕叫个不停。

      Zhōngwǔ méi chīfàn, dùzi gūgū jiào ge bù tíng.

      I didn't eat lunch, and my stomach keeps rumbling nonstop.

    • 窗外的鸽子咕咕地叫着，听起来很悠闲。

      Chuāng wài de gēzi gūgū de jiào zhe, tīng qǐlái hěn yōuxián.

      The pigeons outside the window were cooing; it sounded very leisurely.

    • 他肚子咕了一声，尴尬地笑了笑。

      Tā dùzi gū le yì shēng, gāngà de xiào le xiào.

      His stomach gurgled once, and he smiled awkwardly.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing a rumbling sound with 咕 (gū) | Chinese Grammar