磕

• Pinyin: kē
• Hanzi breakdown: 磕 = 石 (stone) + 盍 (phonetic) — the sound of knocking on stone

Meaning

To knock; to bump; to crack (seeds between teeth).

Multiple colloquial uses: 1) To bump or knock against something; 2) To crack seeds/nuts with teeth (磕瓜子); 3) Internet slang: to enthusiastically support a romantic pairing (磕CP). Very casual and colloquial.

Examples

1. 走路看手机不小心磕到了桌角，腿上青了一块。 Looking at my phone while walking, I accidentally bumped into the table corner — now I have a bruise on my leg.
2. 过年在家没事就磕瓜子聊天，一磕就是一下午。 During New Year at home with nothing to do, we just crack sunflower seeds and chat — we can do it all afternoon.
3. 她特别喜欢磕这对CP，每天追剧追得很起劲。 She especially loves shipping this couple — she chases the drama with great enthusiasm every day.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, snacking, internet

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 小心别磕着头。(Be careful not to bump your head.)
• 来磕瓜子。(Come crack some sunflower seeds.)

Don't Say

• 我磕了一下门。(For knocking on a door to enter, use 敲; 磕 is for accidental bumping or cracking seeds)

Origin & History

Onomatopoeic character: 石 (stone) + 盍 (phonetic). The sound of knocking or cracking.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal