抿嘴 (mǐnzuǐ): to purse one's lips

Meanings

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

Characters

抿

mǐn

to press together / sip

嘴

zuǐ

mouth / lips

Examples

她抿嘴一笑，没有回答。

Tā mǐnzuǐ yī xiào, méiyǒu huídá.

She gave a tight-lipped smile and didn't answer.

孩子抿嘴想了想，点了点头。

Háizi mǐnzuǐ xiǎng le xiǎng, diǎn le diǎn tóu.

The child pressed his lips together in thought, then nodded.

Tips

usage

Per 《新华词典》: '轻闭嘴唇' — '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.