打喷嚏
dǎ pēn tì
The English phrase 'sneeze' is translated into Chinese as 打喷嚏 (dǎ pēn tì).
The term 打喷嚏 is used as a verb meaning to expel air as a reflex. It is a verb-object construction, which means you cannot insert another object between the parts 打 and 喷嚏.
Meaning: expel air as a reflex (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb phrase consists of the verb 打 (dǎ), meaning 'to hit' or 'to perform' and the noun 喷嚏 (pēntì), meaning 'sneeze'. Together, they literally mean 'to perform a sneeze'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to indicate that a sneeze has occurred or is about to occur, you can add the particle 了 after the phrase to get 打喷嚏了.
How do you pronounce it?
dǎ pēn tì
Did you know?
- There is a common superstition in China that if you sneeze multiple times in a row, someone is thinking about you or speaking about you behind your back.
- Unlike in English where people say 'Bless you', there is no standard cultural phrase to say to someone who has just 打喷嚏.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, 打喷嚏 is often viewed as a sign that the body is attempting to expel 'wind' or external pathogens.
Examples in context
- 我见过我家的狗打喷嚏，但是从来没见过我家的猫打喷嚏。I've seen our dog sneeze, but not our cat.This sentence uses 打喷嚏 to show an observation of a pet.Tatoeba #8835099 by crescat, translation #12259782 by sundown
- 我想我要打喷嚏了。。。给我张纸巾。I think I'm gonna sneeze. Give me a tissue.This sentence uses 打喷嚏 to express the immediate feeling that a sneeze is coming.Tatoeba #503045 by fucongcong, translation #2027 by shortiiboy
- 你咳嗽、打喷嚏或打哈欠的时候要捂住你的嘴。Cover your mouth when you cough, sneeze, or yawn.This sentence uses 打喷嚏 as part of a list of bodily functions to cover when coughing or yawning.Tatoeba #401028 by fucongcong, translation #21841 by CK
Example conversation
A man is reacting to dust in a room.
- 佳怡 Jiayi这里的灰尘太多了。zhèlǐ de huīchén tài duō le.There is too much dust here.
- 俊杰 Junjie你是不是要打喷嚏了？nǐ shì bù shì yào dǎ pēntì le?Are you about to sneeze?
- 佳怡 Jiayi对，我一直在打喷嚏。duì, wǒ yīzhí zài dǎ pēntì.Yes, I keep sneezing.
- 俊杰 Junjie快用这张纸巾。kuài yòng zhè zhāng zhǐjīn.Quick, use this tissue.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
