口香糖

• Pinyin: kǒu xiāng táng
• Hanzi breakdown: 口 = mouth; 香 = 禾 (grain) + 日 (sun) — fragrant; 糖 = 米 (rice) + 唐 — sugar/candy

Meaning

Chewing gum. A soft, cohesive substance designed to be chewed but not swallowed.

A common everyday item, especially popular among young people. Often mentioned in contexts of oral hygiene, freshening breath, or as a prohibited item in Singapore. Can also appear in discussions about littering.

Examples

1. 嚼口香糖可以缓解紧张情绪。 Chewing gum can help relieve nervous tension.
2. 新加坡禁止销售和携带口香糖。 Singapore prohibits the sale and carrying of chewing gum.
3. 她从包里拿出一片口香糖递给我。 She took out a piece of gum from her bag and handed it to me.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, oral care, snacks

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你有口香糖吗？(Do you have any gum?)
• 别把口香糖吐在地上。(Don't spit your gum on the ground.)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合嚼口香糖。(Chewing gum in formal settings like meetings or interviews is considered rude)

Origin & History

Compound of 口 (mouth) + 香 (fragrant) + 糖 (candy/sugar). Literally 'mouth fragrance candy.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal