jap1翕

Jyutpingjap1

Yaleyāp

Definition

To open and close the mouth or eyes; to close up; to wave.

to open and close the mouth or eyes
to close up; to shut
to wave; to flap

colloquialdaily actionsbody

How it's used

Primarily used in the compound 翕埋 to describe the action of closing something, such as eyes, a mouth, or a book. It carries a sense of folding or shutting something that is usually open. While it can imply harmony in formal literary contexts, in daily speech it is almost exclusively reserved for the physical act of closing.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日jap1翕maai4埋deoi3對ngaan5眼jau1休sik1息。

He often closes his eyes to rest.

nei5你zou6做me1咩jap1翕maai4埋go3個hau2口m4唔gong2講je5嘢aa4呀？

Why are you keeping your mouth shut and not saying anything?

Common phrases

jap1翕maai4埋ngaan5眼

to close one's eyes

jap1翕maai4埋hau2口

to keep one's mouth shut

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 閂, which is the standard word for closing doors or windows. 翕 is specifically for smaller, more delicate, or organic things like eyelids or lips.