嘀咕

dígu

verb #18,646

Meanings

1 to mutter
2 to mumble
3 to feel apprehensive

Characters

onomatopoeia; ticking sound

onomatopoeia; gurgling/muttering sound

Examples

他在旁边嘀咕了几句，我没听清。

Tā zài pángbiān dígu le jǐ jù, wǒ méi tīngqīng.

He muttered a few words next to me — I didn't catch them.

她心里一直在嘀咕，不知道考试能不能过。

Tā xīnlǐ yīzhí zài dígu, bù zhīdào kǎoshì néng bù néng guò.

She kept feeling anxious, wondering if she could pass the exam.

Tips

usage

嘀咕 has two distinct uses: (1) to mutter/mumble audibly, and (2) to worry or feel uneasy about something (心里嘀咕). Context makes it clear which meaning applies.

Stroke Order

嘀 dī

咕 gū