吻

• Pinyin: wěn
• Hanzi breakdown: 吻 = 口 (mouth) + 勿 (phonetic component)

Meaning

Kiss; lips. As a verb, to kiss.

Used both as noun for the act of kissing and as verb for the action. More literary than colloquial 亲 (qīn). Also appears in compound words for mouth/lips region.

Examples

1. 他在她额头上轻轻印下一吻。 He gently kissed her on the forehead.
2. 母亲吻了吻熟睡的孩子。 The mother kissed her sleeping child.
3. 这是他们的初吻，永生难忘。 It was their first kiss—something they would never forget.

Usage Guide

Context: romance, family, literature

Tone: intimate

Do Say

• 他深情地吻了妻子。(He kissed his wife affectionately.)
• 她给孩子一个晚安吻。(She gave the child a goodnight kiss.)

Don't Say

• 我吻这个食物 — 吻 is for affectionate kissing of people, not objects

Origin & History

吻 = 口 (mouth) + 勿 (phonetic)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal