打嗝（兒） / 打嗝（儿）
The English word 'hiccup' can be translated into Chinese as 打嗝（兒） / 打嗝（儿）. If unsure, use 打嗝（兒） / 打嗝（儿. Wiktionary also lists 呃逆 (ènì).
Meaning: spasm of the diaphragm (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 打嗝（兒） / 打嗝（儿） | |
| 呃逆 | ènì |
A hiccup is a spasm of the diaphragm. In Chinese, the term 打嗝（兒） / 打嗝（儿 can be used as both a noun and a verb.
Which one should you use?
打嗝 is the common everyday term for a hiccup, whereas 呃逆 (ènì) is a formal term used in certain medical contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Northern China, particularly in the Beijing dialect, people may also refer to a hiccup simply as 嗝儿.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 打嗝 functions as both a noun and a verb. To indicate that the hiccuping action has started or is currently occurring, you can add the particle 了 after the word to form 打嗝了.
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, some believe that 打嗝 happens because someone is thinking about you or missing you.
- The term 呃逆 literally combines the sound of a hiccup with the word for 'rebellion' or 'going against the flow'.
- The verb 打 in 打嗝 normally means 'to hit' or 'to strike', but here it describes the rhythmic, involuntary action of the diaphragm.
Examples in context
- 他一直在打嗝，有什么方法可以帮助他停下来吗？He has been hiccuping. Is there any way to help him stop?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hiccup” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
