唾 tuò to spit
to spit; to spit on; saliva
How to remember 唾: 口 mouth + 垂 droop = to spit. The llama at the petting zoo lets its ears droop, opens its mouth, and the tourists learn how far it likes to spit.
Component breakdown
唾 = 口 mouth + 垂 droop
- 口 mouth
- 垂 droop
The llama at the petting zoo lets its ears droop, opens its mouth, and the tourists learn how far it likes to spit.
How it is used
- Two jobs: literal saliva/spit - 唾液 (tuòyè) saliva, 唾沫 (tuòmo) spittle - and figurative disgust in 唾弃 (tuòqì) to spurn/cast off with contempt.
- 唾弃 is strong and moral: 被世人唾弃 (bèi shìrén tuòqì) spurned by all, as if spat upon.
- 唾手可得 (tuòshǒu-kědé) = easily obtainable, lit. as easy as spitting on your hand.