舔

• Pinyin: tiǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 舔 = 舌 (tongue) + 忝 (phonetic)

Meaning

To lick. Also slang for fawning over someone excessively.

Literally means to lick with the tongue. In internet slang, 舔 or 舔狗 describes someone who excessively flatters or chases after someone (usually romantically) without dignity, getting nothing in return.

Examples

1. 猫咪总是用舌头舔自己的毛，保持干净。 Cats always lick their fur with their tongues to stay clean.
2. 你别再舔她了，人家根本不把你当回事。 Stop fawning over her — she doesn't even care about you.
3. 冰淇淋开始融化了，他赶紧舔了一口。 The ice cream was starting to melt, so he quickly took a lick.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, internet slang

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 猫在舔爪子。(The cat is licking its paw.)
• 别当舔狗。(Don't be a simp.)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合用'舔狗'这个词 (Avoid 舔狗 in formal situations — it's internet slang and can be offensive)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: 舌 (tongue) is the radical, 忝 provides the sound.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal