大口地 in 30 Sekunden
- An adverbial phrase meaning 'in big mouthfuls' or 'greedily,' used primarily for eating, drinking, and breathing.
- Formed by 'Big' (大) + 'Mouth' (口) + Adverb Marker (地), it is a B1 level descriptive term.
- Commonly paired with verbs like 吃 (eat), 喝 (drink), and 呼吸 (breathe) to show intensity.
- Essential for adding vivid, physical detail to stories, journals, and descriptions of people's states.
The phrase 大口地 (dà kǒu de) is a quintessential Chinese adverbial construction that vividly describes the physical manner in which an action—typically consuming or breathing—is performed. Composed of three characters, it breaks down into '大' (big), '口' (mouth), and the adverbial marker '地' (de). Together, they translate literally to 'in the manner of a big mouth' or 'with big mouthfuls.' In English, we might translate this as 'greedily,' 'heartily,' 'hungrily,' or even 'deeply' when referring to breath. It is a B1-level term because while the components are simple, using it correctly involves understanding the 'Verb + 地' grammar structure and the specific cultural imagery of robust consumption in Chinese society.
- Core Imagery
- The term evokes the visual of someone opening their mouth wide to take in as much as possible, whether it is water after a long run, a delicious meal after a day of fasting, or fresh air after being in a cramped space.
- Cultural Nuance
- In Chinese culture, eating '大口地' can sometimes imply a lack of manners in formal settings, but in casual contexts or literature, it often signifies health, vitality, and a genuine appreciation for the food provided by the host.
他饿坏了，正大口地吃着面条。 (He was starving and was eating the noodles in big mouthfuls.)
Beyond just eating, this phrase is frequently used to describe breathing. When someone is exhausted or surprised, they might '大口地喘气' (pant in big mouthfuls/heavily). This versatility makes it a high-frequency descriptor in narrative writing. It bridges the gap between simple adjectives and complex four-character idioms (Chengyu) like 狼吞虎咽 (eating like wolves and tigers). While 狼吞虎咽 is more dramatic, 大口地 is more grounded and descriptive of the physical mechanics of the action. You will encounter this in novels to describe a character's desperation or in sports commentary to describe an athlete's physical state.
In terms of register, it is neutral to informal. You wouldn't use it in a scientific report about caloric intake, but it is perfect for a blog post about a food festival, a personal journal entry, or a fictional story. It conveys a sense of urgency and lack of restraint. If someone is drinking '大口地', they aren't sipping tea at a ceremony; they are likely chugging water from a bottle after a hike. This distinction is crucial for learners to grasp—it’s about the *scale* of the physical movement.
运动员在比赛结束后大口地呼吸着新鲜空气。 (The athlete breathed the fresh air in deep gulps after the race.)
- Synonym Comparison
- Compared to '大快朵颐' (to feast), '大口地' focuses on the physical mouth movement rather than the enjoyment or the quantity of food. It is more visceral.
Using 大口地 requires an understanding of Chinese adverbial placement. In Chinese, adverbs that describe 'how' an action is done almost always precede the verb. The structure is: Subject + [大口地] + Verb + Object. This differs from English, where we often place the adverb at the end ('He ate greedily'). If you say 'He greedily ate,' it sounds more like '大口地'.
孩子大口地喝着果汁。 (The child is drinking juice in big gulps.)
The most common verbs paired with this phrase are '吃' (eat), '喝' (drink), '喘气' (pant), '呼吸' (breathe), and '吞' (swallow). It can also be paired with '咬' (bite) to describe taking a huge bite out of something like an apple or a burger. Interestingly, it is rarely used with abstract verbs. You cannot '大口地学习' (learn in big mouthfuls) unless you are using highly creative metaphor. It is a very physical, sensory-based phrase.
- Grammar Rule: The '地' Particle
- In this phrase, '地' (de) acts as the bridge between the descriptive '大口' and the action. Without '地', '大口' might be mistaken for a noun (a big mouth). The '地' clarifies that 'big mouth' is the *manner* of the action.
When emphasizing the speed or intensity, you can add other adverbs before it, such as '不停地' (ceaselessly) or '用力地' (forcefully). For example: '他不停地大口地喝水' (He kept drinking water in big gulps). This stacking of adverbials is common in descriptive literature to create a sense of frantic activity. It helps the reader visualize the scene with more detail than a simple verb would allow.
在干旱的沙漠里，他大口地吞咽着仅剩的水。 (In the arid desert, he swallowed the remaining water in big gulps.)
For B1 learners, mastering this phrase allows you to move beyond basic 'SVO' (Subject-Verb-Object) sentences. It adds texture to your storytelling. Instead of saying 'He is eating,' you can say 'He is eating greedily,' which tells us something about his state of mind (he is hungry) or his character (he is impolite). This level of descriptive detail is what examiners look for at the intermediate level of Chinese proficiency.
You will encounter 大口地 in a variety of real-world contexts, though its frequency is highest in narrative storytelling. In modern Chinese literature, authors use it to ground characters in their physical bodies. For example, a protagonist returning home after a long journey might be described as '大口地吃着母亲做的红烧肉' (eating the braised pork his mother made in big mouthfuls). This doesn't just mean he is eating; it conveys a sense of comfort, home, and ravenous appetite.
- In Sports and Fitness
- Gym instructors or sports commentators often use the phrase to describe breathing. '调整呼吸，大口地吐气' (Adjust your breathing, exhale in big breaths). It emphasizes the physical expansion of the chest and lungs.
- In Dining Contexts
- While not common at a formal business dinner, at a BBQ or a 'Da Pai Dang' (street food stall), you might hear friends say, '大口地吃，别客气！' (Eat heartily, don't be polite/shy!). Here, it is an invitation to enjoy the food without restraint.
电影里，英雄在山顶上大口地呼吸着自由的空气。 (In the movie, the hero breathed the air of freedom in deep gulps on the mountain top.)
In children's literature and cartoons, this phrase is a staple. It helps children learn descriptive language by associating physical actions with specific modifiers. A hungry cartoon bear '大口地吃着蜂蜜' (eating honey in big mouthfuls) is a classic image. For learners, this means that if you watch Chinese cartoons or read 'Xiao Xue' (elementary school) level books, you will see this word constantly. It is part of the basic descriptive toolkit every native speaker develops early on.
Finally, you might hear it in medical or health contexts, though less frequently. A doctor might ask if a patient is '大口地喘气' (gasping for air) to determine the severity of an asthma attack or respiratory distress. In this context, the phrase shifts from a sign of vitality to a clinical symptom of struggle. Understanding these contextual shifts—from the joy of a feast to the struggle of a race to the distress of an illness—is key to mastering the word.
One of the most frequent errors learners make with 大口地 is confusing the three 'de' particles: 的, 地, and 得. Since this is an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, 地 is the only correct choice. Using '大口的' (which modifies nouns) or '大口得' (which follows verbs to describe result/degree) is a common HSK-related mistake. Remember: if it comes *before* the action, use '地'.
- The 'Noun' Confusion
- Learners often try to use '大口' as a standalone adverb without '地'. While '大口吃' is acceptable in very informal, rapid speech, it is technically an ellipsis. In writing, omitting '地' can make the sentence feel 'staccato' or incomplete to a native ear.
Incorrect: 他大口的喝水。 (Wrong 'de')
Correct: 他大口地喝水。 (Right 'de')
Another mistake is using the phrase with inappropriate verbs. You cannot use '大口地' with verbs that don't involve the mouth or breathing. For instance, '大口地看' (looking with a big mouth) makes no sense. Similarly, using it for small, delicate actions like '大口地品茶' (sipping tea in big mouthfuls) is a contradiction in terms, as '品' implies slow, refined tasting, while '大口地' implies the opposite.
Finally, learners sometimes confuse '大口地' with '大声地' (loudly). While both start with '大', they describe different senses. '大声地' is for sound; '大口地' is for physical volume/intake. If someone is shouting while eating, they are '大声地说话' and '大口地吃饭,' but you cannot combine them into '大口地说话' unless they are literally speaking with a mouth full of food, which is a very specific (and usually negative) description.
- Misplacement Error
- Putting the object before the adverbial: '他喝水大口地.' This is an English-influenced word order. In Chinese, the manner must come before the verb: '他大口地喝水.'
Understanding the alternatives to 大口地 helps you choose the right 'flavor' for your sentence. While '大口地' is the most direct and common way to describe eating or breathing heavily, Chinese has a rich vocabulary for these actions, ranging from simple adverbs to complex idioms.
- 狼吞虎咽 (láng tūn hǔ yàn)
- Literally 'to swallow like a wolf and gulp like a tiger.' This is an idiom (Chengyu) used to describe someone eating very fast and greedily. It is much more descriptive and slightly more formal than '大口地吃'.
- 猛烈地 (měng liè de)
- Meaning 'violently' or 'fiercely.' This is often used with '呼吸' (breathing) to show extreme physical exertion, but it lacks the specific 'mouth' imagery of '大口地'.
- 贪婪地 (tān lán de)
- Meaning 'greedily.' This focuses on the *psychological* state of the person. You can eat '贪婪地,' which implies you want more than you need, whereas '大口地' just describes the physical size of the bites.
Comparison:
1. 他大口地喝水。 (Physical description)
2. 他狼吞虎咽地吃午饭。 (Idiomatic/Dramatic)
3. 他贪婪地盯着桌上的肉。 (Psychological/Desire)
For breathing, alternatives include '气喘吁吁' (qì chuǎn xū xū), which is an idiom for being out of breath. While '大口地喘气' describes the *action* of the mouth/lungs, '气喘吁吁' describes the *state* of the person. In a story, you might combine them: '他气喘吁吁地跑过来，大口地呼吸着。' (He ran over panting and breathed in deep gulps.)
In summary, choose '大口地' when you want a clear, physical, and neutral-to-informal description of the action. Choose '狼吞虎咽' for more literary flair, and '贪婪地' when you want to criticize the person's character or highlight their extreme hunger. Mastering these nuances is what differentiates a B1 learner from a C1 speaker.
Wusstest du?
In ancient Chinese (Classical Chinese), this phrase wouldn't exist in this form. You would likely see a single character like '吞' (tūn) or '啖' (dàn). The 'Adjective + 地' structure is a feature of Modern Vernacular Chinese (Baihuawen).
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing '地' as 'dì' instead of the neutral 'de'.
- Failing to dip low enough on the 3rd tone 'kǒu'.
- Over-emphasizing 'de', which should be very short.
- Merging 'dà' and 'kǒu' into one sound without a tonal break.
- Confusing 'kǒu' with 'kòu' (4th tone).
Beispiele nach Niveau
他大口地吃苹果。
He is eating the apple in big mouthfuls.
Subject + Adverbial + Verb + Object
我大口地喝水。
I drink water in big gulps.
The word '大口地' describes the manner of drinking.
小狗大口地吃肉。
The puppy eats meat in big mouthfuls.
Commonly used with animals to show hunger.
哥哥大口地喝牛奶。
Older brother drinks milk in big gulps.
'地' is the adverbial marker.
她大口地吃米饭。
She eats rice in big mouthfuls.
Focus on the physical action of the mouth.
爸爸大口地呼吸。
Dad is breathing in big gulps.
Used here for breathing, not eating.
大口地吃，很好吃！
Eat in big mouthfuls, it's delicious!
Imperative use to show enjoyment.
不要大口地喝冰水。
Don't drink ice water in big gulps.
Negative '不要' comes before the adverbial.
跑步以后，我大口地喘气。
After running, I panted in big gulps.
喘气 (chuǎn qì) means to pant or gasp.
因为太饿了，他大口地吃面。
Because he was too hungry, he ate noodles in big mouthfuls.
Shows the reason (饿) for the action.
孩子大口地咬了一口西瓜。
The child took a big bite of watermelon.
Combines '大口地' with '咬' (bite).
他在森林里大口地呼吸新鲜空气。
He breathed the fresh air deeply in the forest.
Positive connotation of health and nature.
比赛完了，运动员大口地喝运动饮料。
After the race, the athlete drank sports drinks in big gulps.
Context of physical recovery.
猫咪大口地喝着碗里的水。
The cat is drinking the water in the bowl in big gulps.
Describing animal behavior.
他坐在路边大口地吃面包。
He sat by the road eating bread in big mouthfuls.
Setting a scene with a simple action.
请不要大口地吞，慢慢吃。
Please don't swallow in big gulps, eat slowly.
Contrast between '大口地' and '慢慢'.
他顾不上说话，只是在大口地吃着。
He couldn't find time to talk, just eating in big mouthfuls.
Shows focus and intensity.
医生让他大口地吸气，然后再慢慢呼气。
The doctor told him to inhale deeply and then exhale slowly.
Medical instruction context.
看到满桌的菜，他大口地流口水（比喻）。
Seeing the table full of food, he (metaphorically) salivated heavily.
Metaphorical extension of the 'big mouth' concept.
他大口地喝着那杯苦涩的药。
He drank that cup of bitter medicine in big gulps.
Shows determination to finish something unpleasant.
虽然很烫，他还是大口地喝着热汤。
Even though it was hot, he still drank the hot soup in big gulps.
Concessive structure (虽然...还是...).
在高原上，每个人都在大口地呼吸。
On the plateau, everyone was breathing in big gulps.
Describing the effect of thin air.
他大口地嚼着牛肉，显得很有胃口。
He chewed the beef in big mouthfuls, appearing to have a great appetite.
嚼 (jiáo) means to chew.
水手们在船上大口地喝着烈酒。
The sailors were drinking strong liquor in big gulps on the ship.
Narrative setting.
他像个饿死鬼一样，大口地往嘴里塞食物。
He was like a starving ghost, stuffing food into his mouth in big handfuls.
Simile (像...一样) combined with the adverbial.
走出阴暗的地窖，他开始大口地呼吸自由。
Walking out of the dark cellar, he began to breathe freedom in deep gulps.
Abstract object (自由) used with the physical action.
他大口地吞咽着泪水，不让别人看见他的悲伤。
He swallowed his tears in big gulps, not letting others see his sadness.
Metaphorical use for suppressing emotion.
在沙漠中迷失三天后，他大口地痛饮着清泉。
After being lost in the desert for three days, he drank the spring water deeply and joyfully.
痛饮 (tòng yǐn) adds the sense of 'to one's heart's content'.
他大口地咀嚼着这个消息，试图理解其中的含义。
He chewed on this news in big 'mouthfuls,' trying to understand its meaning.
Metaphorical use of 'chewing' for thinking.
风在大口地吞噬着火焰。
The wind was devouring the flames in big gulps.
Personification of wind.
他大口地吸着烟，眉头紧锁。
He puffed at his cigarette in big drags, his brow furrowed.
Describes a habit under stress.
尽管医生警告过，他还是大口地吃着肥肉。
Despite the doctor's warning, he still ate fatty meat in big mouthfuls.
Shows character defiance.
他大口地吮吸着知识的甘露，仿佛永远不知足。
He sucked the nectar of knowledge in big gulps, as if never satisfied.
Highly literary and metaphorical.
城市的扩张大口地蚕食着周围的耕地。
The city's expansion is encroaching on the surrounding farmland in big gulps.
Metaphor for economic/urban development.
他大口地喘着粗气，胸口剧烈地起伏着。
He was panting heavily in big gasps, his chest heaving violently.
Detailed physical description.
那种大口地享受生活的态度，让他显得与众不同。
That attitude of enjoying life in 'big mouthfuls' made him stand out.
Using the phrase as a lifestyle descriptor.
海浪大口地拍打着堤岸，发出震耳欲聋的响声。
The waves slapped the embankment in big 'mouthfuls,' making a deafening sound.
Creative use of the phrase for nature.
他大口地喝下那杯陈年老酒，任由辛辣在喉间蔓延。
He downed that cup of aged liquor in one big gulp, letting the spiciness spread in his throat.
Focus on the sensory experience.
历史大口地吞没了那些无名的英雄。
History swallowed those nameless heroes in big gulps.
Philosophical/Abstract use.
他大口地撕咬着现实的残酷，试图寻找一线生机。
He tore and bit at the cruelty of reality in big mouthfuls, trying to find a glimmer of hope.
Dark, literary imagery.
此公用膳向来不拘小节，总是大口地吃喝，尽显豪杰本色。
This gentleman never bothered with trifles when dining, always eating and drinking in big mouthfuls, showing his heroic nature.
Classical-influenced modern prose.
在文学作品中，‘大口地’往往象征着一种原始而旺盛的生命力。
In literary works, 'in big mouthfuls' often symbolizes a primal and vigorous vitality.
Analytical/Academic statement.
他那大口地咀嚼声，在寂静的深夜里显得格外刺耳。
That sound of him chewing in big mouthfuls was particularly jarring in the dead of night.
Using the phrase to create atmosphere/suspense.
资本大口地吞噬着劳动力，不留一丝喘息的空间。
Capital devours labor in big gulps, leaving not a sliver of room to breathe.
Marxist/Economic critique style.
他大口地呼吸着雨后泥土的芬芳，感受着大地的脉动。
He breathed the fragrance of the soil after the rain in deep gulps, feeling the pulse of the earth.
Poetic/Sensory prose.
那种大口地、不加掩饰的欲望，让他既感到恐惧又被深深吸引。
That big-mouthed, undisguised desire both terrified and deeply attracted him.
Psychological depth.
他并非在吃，而是在大口地填补内心的空虚。
He wasn't eating, but rather filling the emptiness in his heart in big mouthfuls.
Existential use of the phrase.
时间大口地咬碎了我们的梦想，只剩下满地的残渣。
Time crushed our dreams in its big mouth, leaving only debris on the ground.
High-level metaphorical imagery.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— To eat meat in big mouthfuls and drink wine from big bowls. Describes a heroic or uninhibited lifestyle.
水浒传里的好汉们总是大口吃肉，大碗喝酒。
— To breathe in fresh air in deep gulps. Often used after being in a stuffy room.
一走出办公室，他就大口呼吸新鲜空气。
— The doubled form for extra emphasis on the continuous action.
小男孩大口大口地吃着西瓜。
— A common health warning: don't drink ice water too fast.
刚运动完，别大口地喝冰水，对胃不好。
— Panting heavily with loud breaths.
他跑上五楼，大口地喘着粗气。
— To take a big, decisive bite.
他对着那块大蛋糕大口地咬下去。
— To swallow something whole or in a large piece.
蛇大口地吞下了猎物。
— To taste something heartily (slightly ironic as 'taste' is usually small).
他正大口地品尝着他的战利品。
— To laugh with a wide open mouth (less common, but used).
他张大口地笑着，露出了白牙。
— To inhale deeply.
在潜水前，他大口地吸了一口气。
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— To eat like a wolf and tiger; to bolt one's food.
他狼吞虎咽地吃完了早饭。
Common— To have a spirit that could swallow mountains and rivers; very bold.
他的演讲气吞山河，令人振奋。
High Literary— When hungry, one doesn't choose what to eat. Often leads to eating '大口地'.
他饿极了，真是饥不择食。
Common— To drool three feet; to yearn for something (usually food).
看到那盘烤鸭，他垂涎三尺。
Common— To feast heartily and enjoy the meal.
我们在自助餐厅大快朵颐。
Polite/Formal— To be out of breath; panting.
他气喘吁吁地跑进了教室。
Common— To swallow a date whole; to read or learn without understanding.
读书不能囫囵吞枣，要深入思考。
Metaphorical— One's index finger moves; to have a great appetite triggered.
闻到香味，我不禁食指大动。
Literary— To eat wind and drink dew; to live a hard life outdoors.
这些地质队员常年餐风饮露。
Poetic— Wine and meat friends; friends only for fun and eating.
那些酒肉朋友在他困难时都消失了。
InformalWortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a giant (大) opening his mouth (口) to eat a whole pizza. The '地' is the ground he's standing on while he does it. Dà-Kǒu-De!
Visuelle Assoziation
A wide-open mouth like a 'U' shape (the character 口 is a square, but imagine it as a wide opening) and the character 大 looks like a person stretching to fit more food in.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to use '大口地' in three different sentences today: one about eating your favorite food, one about drinking water, and one about breathing after a walk.
Wortherkunft
Composed of three ancient Chinese characters. '大' (Big) originated from a pictogram of a person with outstretched arms. '口' (Mouth) is a pictogram of an open mouth. '地' (Earth/Ground) here serves as a grammatical particle that evolved in the Tang and Song dynasties to mark adverbials.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To act with the physical capacity of a large mouth.
Sino-Tibetan / SiniticSummary
The phrase '大口地' is your go-to tool for describing vigorous physical intake. Whether someone is starving and '大口地吃' (eating in big mouthfuls) or exhausted and '大口地喘气' (panting heavily), this phrase adds immediate sensory impact to your Chinese sentences. Example: 他太渴了，大口地喝着冰水 (He was so thirsty, he drank the ice water in big gulps).
- An adverbial phrase meaning 'in big mouthfuls' or 'greedily,' used primarily for eating, drinking, and breathing.
- Formed by 'Big' (大) + 'Mouth' (口) + Adverb Marker (地), it is a B1 level descriptive term.
- Commonly paired with verbs like 吃 (eat), 喝 (drink), and 呼吸 (breathe) to show intensity.
- Essential for adding vivid, physical detail to stories, journals, and descriptions of people's states.
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr food Wörter
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一袋
B1A bag of.
少一点儿
A2Ein bisschen weniger; etwas weniger. Wird verwendet, um eine geringere Menge oder einen geringeren Grad zu erbitten. (Beispiel: Ich möchte weniger Zucker in meinem Kaffee.)
多一点儿
A2Ein bisschen mehr. Wird verwendet, um nach einer kleinen zusätzlichen Menge zu fragen oder um Dinge zu vergleichen.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
一瓶
B1Eine Flasche von.
一碗
B1Eine Schüssel voll...
一盒
B1Eine Schachtel von. Zum Beispiel eine Schachtel Pralinen.
一杯
B1Eine Tasse / Ein Glas. 'Ich möchte eine Tasse Tee.'
