抿嘴

mǐnzuǐ
verb

Meanings

  1. 1 to purse one's lips
  2. 2 to press one's lips together (often in a small smile)

Examples

HSK 1
Tā mǐnzuǐ yī xiào, méiyǒu huídá.
She gave a tight-lipped smile and didn't answer.
HSK 2
Háizi mǐnzuǐ xiǎng le xiǎng, diǎn le diǎntóu.
The child pressed his lips together in thought, then nodded.

Tips

usage
Means 'to close the lips lightly.' The classic collocation is 抿嘴一笑 ('a small, lips-pressed smile'), a stock description in Chinese fiction for a restrained, often demure or knowing smile. Compare 闭嘴 ('shut up'), which is the brusque cousin.

Stroke Order

mǐn
zuǐ