吹

• Pinyin: chuī
• Hanzi breakdown: 吹 = 口 (mouth) + 欠 (to yawn, lacking) — blowing air from the mouth

Meaning

To blow. Refers to blowing air with the mouth or wind blowing.

Used for wind blowing, blowing out candles, playing wind instruments, and colloquially for boasting or bragging (吹牛). Also used when a deal or relationship falls through.

Examples

1. 外面的风吹得很大。 The wind outside is blowing very hard.
2. 她吹灭了蛋糕上的蜡烛。 She blew out the candles on the cake.
3. 他会吹口琴。 He can play the harmonica.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, music, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 风吹得很大，小心帽子。(The wind is blowing hard — watch your hat.)
• 帮我吹一下这个气球。(Help me blow up this balloon.)

Don't Say

• 注意吹牛是吹的引申义 — 吹牛 means to brag or boast, not literally blowing on a cow. It is very colloquial.

Origin & History

Phono-semantic compound: 口 (mouth) provides the meaning, 欠 (lacking, yawning) provides the phonetic. Depicts air blown from the mouth.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal