B1 noun Neutral 1 min read

小口地

xiaokou de /ɕi̯aʊ̯ kʰoʊ̯ tɪ/

"小口地" emphasizes a refined and careful manner of consuming food or drink, focusing on small, controlled portions.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Describes eating or drinking in small, delicate portions.
  • Implies carefulness, elegance, or caution in consumption.
  • Commonly used for hot food, sick people, or refined manners.

Overview

“小口地”是一个常用的副词短语,由形容词“小”、名词“口”和助词“地”构成。它字面意思是“以小的口量”,引申为在吃、喝或品尝时,每次只摄取少量食物或液体,动作轻柔、缓慢。这个词语通常用于强调进食的细致、文雅、谨慎或耐心,与“大口地”形成对比。它不仅仅指速度慢,更侧重于每次摄入的份量小。

“小口地”通常放在动词前面,作为状语修饰动词,表示动作的方式。最常见的搭配是“小口地吃”、“小口地喝”、“小口地品尝”。

* **与“着”连用**:他小口地品尝着那杯咖啡,感受其中的香醇。

这个词语主要用于描述与口腔摄入相关的动作,很少用于描述其他不涉及吃喝的动作。虽然“地”是副词性助词,但“小口”本身在这里作为一个描述动作方式的短语来使用。

“小口地”在日常生活中有很多应用场景:

* **饮用热饮或冰饮**:为了避免烫伤或过冷刺激,人们会“小口地”喝热咖啡、热汤或冰水。

  • 病人或小孩进食:生病的人胃口不好或消化能力弱,通常需要“小口地”吃东西。小宝宝刚开始吃辅食时,大人也会“小口地”喂给他们。
  • 保持仪态或礼仪:在正式场合或社交聚会中,为了显得文雅、有教养,人们会“小口地”进食,避免发出不雅的声音或弄脏衣物。

* **食欲不振**:有时,当一个人没有胃口时,也会“小口地”吃一点东西以维持体力。

  • 慢慢地 (màn màn de): “慢慢地”强调动作的速度缓慢,范围更广,可以用于任何动作,如“慢慢地走”、“慢慢地思考”。而“小口地”则特指每次摄入的量少,且主要用于吃喝的动作,它通常也包含“慢”的意味,但更具体。
  • 细细地 (xì xì de): “细细地”强调动作的细致、仔细,可以用于观察、品味、思考等。例如,“细细地观察”、“细细地品味”。“小口地”是“细细地”在吃喝领域的具体表现,即通过每次少量摄入来实现细致的品尝。
  • 一点点地 (yī diǎn diǎn de): “一点点地”强调数量的微小和逐步进行,可以用于各种情境,如“一点点地进步”、“一点点地加水”。它与“小口地”在“量少”这一点上相似,但“小口地”更专注于吃喝动作,且带有“口”的形象感。

Examples

1

奶奶年纪大了,吃东西总是小口地嚼,慢慢咽。

everyday

Grandma is old, she always chews her food in small mouthfuls and swallows slowly.

2

她优雅地小口地喝着咖啡,目光扫视着四周。

formal

She elegantly sipped her coffee in small mouthfuls, her gaze sweeping around.

3

小宝宝刚开始吃辅食,妈妈耐心地小口地喂给他。

informal

The baby just started eating solid food, and mom patiently fed him in small mouthfuls.

4

品鉴会上,专家们小口地品尝着美酒,仔细辨别其风味。

academic

At the tasting event, experts sipped the fine wine in small mouthfuls, carefully discerning its flavors.

Common Collocations

小口地吃 eat in small mouthfuls
小口地喝 drink in small sips
小口地品尝 taste carefully in small portions

Common Phrases

小口地吃东西

eat food in small mouthfuls

小口地喝茶

sip tea in small sips

小口地品酒

taste wine in small sips

Often Confused With

小口地 vs 大口地

This is the direct opposite, meaning 'in big mouthfuls.' It implies eating or drinking quickly, often less refined, and with larger portions per intake.

小口地 vs 狼吞虎咽地

This means 'to gobble down' or 'devour.' It emphasizes eating very quickly and greedily, often without regard for manners, and definitely not in small, controlled mouthfuls.

Grammar Patterns

小口地 + 动词 (e.g., 小口地吃) 主语 + 小口地 + 动词 + 宾语 (e.g., 她小口地喝水) 小口地 + 动词 + 着 (e.g., 小口地品尝着)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

"小口地" is generally neutral to slightly formal/polite, emphasizing refined or careful action. It is appropriate in most social settings when describing eating or drinking. While it can describe a lack of appetite, its primary meaning is about the manner of consumption, focusing on small portions, not just the overall quantity consumed over time.


Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using "小口地" with actions that don't involve consumption, or when describing a large, quick intake. It specifically refers to taking small portions per action, not just "slowly" in a general sense. Ensure the verb it modifies relates to eating, drinking, or tasting, and that the context implies small, careful portions.

Tips

💡

Mastering Elegant Eating

Using "小口地" correctly can convey elegance and good manners in dining. It's often associated with refined behavior.

⚠️

Avoid Misuse with Large Quantities

Do not use "小口地" when describing gulping, devouring, or taking large bites. It specifically refers to small, controlled portions.

🌍

Chinese Dining Etiquette

In Chinese culture, eating "小口地" is often seen as polite, especially when dining with elders or in formal settings, showing respect and self-control.

Word Origin

"小口地" is a descriptive adverbial phrase. "小" (xiǎo) means small, "口" (kǒu) means mouth or an opening, and "地" (de) is an adverbial particle indicating the manner of an action. It literally translates to 'in a small-mouth manner' or 'in small portions by mouth.'

Cultural Context

In many East Asian cultures, eating "小口地" is considered polite and refined, especially in formal settings or when dining with elders. It contrasts with "大口地" which can sometimes be seen as impolite or gluttonous, though it can also signify enjoyment in informal settings. This manner of eating reflects self-control and respect for others.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'small mouth' (小口) delicately eating, making sure to do it '地' (like 'the' way). Think of a tiny bird pecking at seeds, taking 'small mouthfuls' with care.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“小口地”特指每次摄入的食物或液体量少,主要用于吃喝,强调细致或谨慎的进食方式。而“慢慢地”泛指动作缓慢,可以用于任何动作,不限于吃喝的量,范围更广。

“小口地”主要用于描述吃喝的动作。偶尔也可引申指做其他事情时小心翼翼、一点一点地进行,但这种用法不如吃喝常见且可能不自然,建议主要用于与食物和饮料相关的语境。

品尝美食、喝热饮、病人或小孩进食、在正式场合保持文雅仪态,或食欲不振时,都会用到“小口地”来描述进食的动作和方式。

通常是中性或略带褒义,表示文雅、细致、谨慎或体贴。在特定语境下,如果指一个人过于拘谨或吃得太慢,也可能带有一点点贬义,但这不常见,主要取决于说话人的语气和意图。

Test Yourself

fill blank

咖啡太烫了,她只好______地喝。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: C

咖啡太烫,所以要慢慢地、每次喝一点点,"小口地" 最符合语境,表示谨慎地饮用。

multiple choice

哪个句子正确使用了 "小口地"?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: B

"小口地" 主要用于吃喝,喂饭是其典型用法。其他选项的动词不适合与"小口地"搭配。

sentence building

将下列词语组合成一个意思连贯的句子:她 / 享受 / 蛋糕 / 小口地 / 那块 / 品尝着。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: C

"小口地" 作状语修饰动词 "品尝",表示动作的方式。正确的语序是主语+状语+动词+宾语。

Score: /3

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