sok3 bei6索鼻
Jyutpingsok3 bei6
Yalesok beih
Definition
To sniff; to draw nasal mucus back up into the nose.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
Specifically refers to the act of inhaling nasal mucus back into the nasal cavity rather than blowing it out. It is often used to describe the sound someone makes when they have a runny nose or are trying to suppress a sneeze. People frequently use it to point out someone's annoying habit or to express concern about their health.
Examples
Why do you keep sniffing? Are you cold?
He has a cold and a stuffy nose, so he is sniffing very loudly.
Related words
Common phrases
sniffing sound
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 索氣, which means to gasp for air or catch one's breath. While both involve inhaling through the nose, 索鼻 is strictly about nasal congestion.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
