夸

• Pinyin: kuā
• Hanzi breakdown: 夸 = 大 (big) + 亏 (lose) — to exaggerate/praise

Meaning

To praise; to boast; to compliment. Expressing admiration or exaggerating one's own achievements.

A versatile verb that can mean either to praise others or to boast about oneself, depending on context. Very common in everyday speech for giving compliments. When used reflexively or with 自己, it means to brag.

Examples

1. 老师当着全班的面夸了他一顿。 The teacher praised him in front of the whole class.
2. 他总爱夸自己的厨艺有多好。 He always likes to brag about how good his cooking is.
3. 大家都在夸这家新开的餐厅。 Everyone is praising this newly opened restaurant.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, compliments, boasting

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 大家都夸你做的菜好吃。(Everyone is praising how delicious your cooking is.)
• 别老夸自己。(Don't always brag about yourself.)

Don't Say

• 在非常正式的书面语中单独用夸。(In very formal writing, use 赞扬 or 称赞 instead of 夸)

Origin & History

Originally meant 'to spread' or 'to enlarge,' evolved to mean praising or boasting by spreading good words about someone or something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal