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A2 verb 8 min read

吞咽

tūnyàn
Examples 吞咽 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 吞咽 in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners focus on basic survival Chinese. While '吞咽' (tūnyàn) might be slightly advanced for an absolute beginner, it is introduced in the context of health and basic needs. A1 learners should understand it as the physical action of swallowing, especially when they are sick. For example, if you have a sore throat, you might need to tell someone 'swallowing hurts.' At this stage, you don't need to worry about the formal nuances; just recognize that 吞咽 means 'to swallow.' You will mostly see it in very simple sentences like '我吞咽药' (I swallow medicine). The focus is on the connection between the mouth, the throat, and food. You might also encounter it in pictures of the body. Simple patterns like '吞咽 + [Object]' are the most useful here. Don't worry about the complex characters yet; focus on the sound 'tūn yàn' and its primary meaning. It is a useful word to know if you ever need to visit a pharmacy in a Chinese-speaking country, as the pharmacist might use it when giving you instructions on how to take your medicine.
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At the A2 level, learners are expected to handle routine tasks and simple descriptions. '吞咽' becomes more relevant when discussing symptoms or instructions. You should be able to use it with basic adverbs, such as '艰难地吞咽' (swallowing with difficulty) or '慢慢地吞咽' (swallowing slowly). At this stage, you can start distinguishing between '吃' (eating) and '吞咽' (the specific act of swallowing). You might also learn the common phrase '吞咽困难' (difficulty swallowing), which is a standard way to describe a sore throat or a medical issue. A2 learners should also be aware of the resultative complement '下去' (xiàqù), as in '吞咽下去' (swallow down). This level focuses on using the word in practical, everyday situations, such as eating a meal or taking a pill. You should also be able to recognize the word in simple health-related texts or signs in a hospital. Practice using it in sentences that describe your physical state, such as '感冒了，吞咽的时候喉咙疼' (I have a cold, my throat hurts when I swallow).
At the B1 level, learners begin to use Chinese for more complex explanations and can handle a wider range of topics. '吞咽' is used more precisely in medical and biological contexts. You should understand the difference between the formal '吞咽' and the more casual '咽' or '吞.' B1 learners can use '吞咽' to describe the mechanics of how animals eat or how the human body works. You might also see it in literature to describe a character's physical reaction to emotions, such as nervousness or fear. For example, '他紧张地吞咽了一下' (He swallowed nervously). This level also introduces more complex sentence structures, like using '吞咽' as a subject or part of a noun phrase: '吞咽动作很自然' (The swallowing action is very natural). You should be comfortable reading short articles about health or nature that include this word. You can also start to learn idioms that use its components, like '狼吞虎咽' (to devour ravenously), even though the compound '吞咽' itself is usually reserved for the physical act.
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At the B2 level, learners can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics. '吞咽' is used in more technical or professional contexts. You might encounter it in medical journals, scientific reports, or detailed health guides. B2 learners should be able to discuss '吞咽障碍' (dysphagia) or '吞咽反射' (swallowing reflex) with some level of detail. You should also be able to appreciate the stylistic choice of using '吞咽' in formal writing versus '咽' in informal speech. At this level, you can analyze how authors use '吞咽' to create atmosphere or describe a character's internal state with physical precision. For example, an author might describe a character '吞咽着苦涩' (swallowing bitterness), where the physical act of swallowing is used as a powerful metaphor for enduring hardship. You should also be familiar with the various complements and modifiers that can be attached to '吞咽' to describe speed, difficulty, and result in great detail. Your ability to use the word should be accurate and context-appropriate.
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At the C1 level, learners can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognize implicit meaning. '吞咽' is used with high precision and stylistic variety. You should be able to distinguish the subtle differences between '吞咽,' '哽咽' (to choke with sobs), and other related terms. C1 learners can use '吞咽' in academic discussions about physiology, psychology, or linguistics (e.g., the phonetics of swallowing sounds). You will encounter the word in high-level literature where it might be used in highly metaphorical or abstract ways to describe how one 'swallows' or 'digests' information, experiences, or social pressures. You should be able to use the word in formal speeches or professional reports with perfect grammatical accuracy. At this stage, you are also expected to know the historical development of the characters '吞' and '咽' and how their meanings have evolved over time. Your understanding of '吞咽' should include its role in the broader system of Chinese verbs of consumption and its contrast with other formal terms like '摄入' (ingest) or '进食' (eat/feed).
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At the C2 level, learners can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. '吞咽' is a tool for precise expression in any context. You can use it in philosophical discussions about the nature of consumption or in highly technical medical discourse. C2 learners can identify and use the most obscure idioms and literary references involving '吞' and '咽.' You should be able to write sophisticated essays that use '吞咽' as a central metaphor for human experience—how we 'swallow' our pride, our past, and our environment. You will have a deep understanding of the word's phonetic properties and its role in classical Chinese texts, where the characters might have been used differently. At this level, you can play with the word, using it in puns or creative writing to evoke specific physical and emotional responses in the reader. Your mastery of '吞咽' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, and you can switch between its formal, clinical, and literary uses with total fluency and nuance.
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Examples

吞咽 in 30 Seconds

  • 吞咽 is the formal Chinese verb for 'to swallow,' describing the physical act of moving food from the mouth to the stomach.
  • It is commonly used in medical contexts to describe throat pain, swallowing disorders, or the action of taking medicine.
  • The word is a compound of '吞' (gulp) and '咽' (swallow), making it more precise than using either character alone.
  • While primarily physical, it can be used in literature to describe a character's nervous reaction or internal struggle.
The Chinese verb 吞咽 (tūnyàn) is a fundamental term that refers to the physiological process of swallowing. At its most basic level, it describes the muscular action that moves food or liquid from the mouth, through the pharynx, and into the esophagus. For an English speaker, it maps directly to 'to swallow.' However, the nuance of 吞咽 lies in its formal and slightly clinical tone compared to the single-character 吞 (tūn) or 咽 (yàn). In daily conversation, you might simply say 咽下去 (yàn xiàqù) to mean 'swallow it down,' but 吞咽 is the preferred term in medical, scientific, or formal writing to describe the entire mechanical process. Understanding 吞咽 requires looking at its components: 吞 means to gulp or swallow whole, often used for large items or metaphorically for 'annexing' territory; 咽 refers to the throat or the act of swallowing specifically through the throat. Together, they create a precise term for the biological act. You will use this word most frequently when discussing health, such as during a doctor's visit when describing a sore throat, or in a formal dining context where the mechanics of eating are discussed. It is also used in literature to describe a character's physical reaction to fear or nervousness, such as 'swallowing hard.'
Medical Context
Used to describe the ability or difficulty of passing food through the esophagus, often seen in patient charts or health advice.

因为感冒，他觉得吞咽非常困难。 (Because of the cold, he finds swallowing very difficult.)

Psychological Context
Describes the physical manifestation of anxiety or hesitation, similar to 'swallowing a lump in one's throat' in English.

他在说话前紧张地吞咽了一下。 (He swallowed nervously before speaking.)

Biological Process
Refers to the three stages of deglutition: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal.

这种药片很大，很难吞咽。 (This tablet is very large and hard to swallow.)

婴儿的吞咽反射是天生的。 (A baby's swallowing reflex is innate.)

他用力地吞咽着口水，试图平静下来。 (He swallowed his saliva hard, trying to calm down.)

Using 吞咽 effectively requires understanding its grammatical placement as a verb. It typically functions as the main predicate of a sentence. For example, in the sentence '我吞咽了药片' (I swallowed the pill), 吞咽 acts as the action performed by the subject '我' on the object '药片.' However, because 吞咽 describes a process that can be difficult or easy, it is very frequently used with adverbs of degree or resultative complements. Common constructions include '吞咽困难' (difficulty swallowing) and '吞咽下去' (to swallow down). When you want to describe how someone is swallowing, you might use '艰难地吞咽' (to swallow with difficulty) or '快速地吞咽' (to swallow quickly). In a medical context, it often appears as a noun-like gerund, such as in '吞咽功能' (swallowing function) or '吞咽障碍' (swallowing disorder/dysphagia).
Verb + Object
The most straightforward usage where the action is directed at food, medicine, or saliva.

他慢慢地吞咽着温水。 (He is slowly swallowing the warm water.)

Complement of Result
Using '下' or '下去' to indicate the completion of the swallowing action.

把这口饭吞咽下去。 (Swallow this mouthful of rice down.)

Adjectival Modification
Describing the state of swallowing, usually linked with '困难' (kùnnán - difficult).

喉咙痛导致他吞咽困难。 (Throat pain caused him to have difficulty swallowing.)

他在感到惊恐时，不停地进行吞咽动作。 (When he felt panicked, he kept making swallowing motions.)

这种动物在吞咽食物时不经过咀嚼。 (This animal swallows food without chewing.)

In the real world, you are most likely to encounter 吞咽 in environments where physical health or biological processes are the focus. Hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies are primary locations. A doctor might ask, '吞咽时疼吗？' (Does it hurt when you swallow?). In health-related news or documentaries, the term is used to explain how the human body functions. Additionally, in literature and creative writing, authors use 吞咽 to convey emotion. A character might swallow hard to hide their sadness or to show they are intimidated. In high-end culinary contexts, a food critic might describe the '吞咽感' (the sensation of swallowing), referring to the texture and smoothness of a dish as it passes down the throat. You might also hear it in sports science when discussing hydration or the consumption of energy gels during a race.
Medical Settings
Interactions with healthcare professionals regarding throat or digestive issues.

医生检查了他的吞咽反射。 (The doctor checked his swallowing reflex.)

Literary Descriptions
Describing a character's internal state or physical reaction to a situation.

他感到喉咙发紧，艰难地吞咽了一下。 (He felt his throat tighten and swallowed with difficulty.)

Science and Education
Educational content explaining the digestive system or animal behavior.

蛇可以通过扩张下颌来吞咽比自己头还大的猎物。 (Snakes can swallow prey larger than their own heads by expanding their lower jaws.)

在康复中心，老年人正在练习吞咽技巧。 (In the rehabilitation center, elderly people are practicing swallowing techniques.)

请确保孩子在吞咽前充分咀嚼食物。 (Please ensure the child chews food thoroughly before swallowing.)

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers learning Chinese is confusing 吞咽 (tūnyàn) with 喝 (hē - to drink) or 吃 (chī - to eat). While 'swallow' is a part of eating and drinking, 吞咽 refers specifically to the act of passing something through the throat. You wouldn't say '我吞咽水' to mean 'I am drinking water' unless you are focusing on the physical mechanics of the water going down. Another mistake is using 吞咽 in very casual settings where the single character 咽 (yàn) or 吞 (tūn) would be more natural. For instance, telling someone to 'just swallow it!' would more likely be '把它咽下去！' rather than '把它吞咽下去！'. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 吞 (tūn) and 咽 (yàn). 吞 is more about the initial 'gulping' or 'taking in,' while 咽 is the 'sliding down' the throat. Using 吞咽 incorrectly in metaphorical contexts is also common. In English, we 'swallow' our words or pride; in Chinese, while 吞 and 咽 can be used metaphorically, 吞咽 as a compound is almost always physical. For metaphorical 'swallowing,' 咽 (yàn) is often used for emotions (e.g., 咽下这口气 - swallow one's anger), and 吞 (tūn) is used for seizing things (e.g., 吞并 - to annex).
Overly Formal Usage
Using 吞咽 in daily casual conversation instead of the simpler 咽.

Incorrect: 妈妈，我不能吞咽这个苹果。 (Mom, I can't swallow this apple - sounds like a medical report.)

Confusion with Eating/Drinking
Using 吞咽 as a synonym for the entire process of consuming food.

Incorrect: 我们去吞咽午饭吧。 (Let's go swallow lunch.)

Metaphorical Misuse
Using the compound word 吞咽 for abstract concepts like 'swallowing a lie.'

Incorrect: 他吞咽了他的骄傲。 (He swallowed his pride - should use 咽下 or 放弃.)

Correct: 医生正在检查患者的吞咽能力。 (The doctor is checking the patient's swallowing ability.)

他因为紧张而导致吞咽不畅。 (He had difficulty swallowing due to nervousness.)

To master 吞咽, it is helpful to compare it with other verbs related to eating and the throat. The most direct alternatives are the single characters 吞 and 咽. 吞 (tūn) emphasizes the act of taking something into the mouth and down the throat without chewing, like 'gulping.' It's often used for large items or metaphorically for taking over something. 咽 (yàn) focuses on the throat's action and is commonly used for liquids, saliva, or 'swallowing' emotions. Other related words include 咀嚼 (jǔjué - to chew), which is the process before swallowing; 喝 (hē - to drink), the general word for consuming liquids; and 啃 (kěn - to gnaw/nibble), which is a different way of eating. In a medical context, you might also encounter 进食 (jìnshí), which is a formal term for 'taking in food' or 'feeding.'
吞咽 vs. 吞
吞咽 is the formal process; 吞 is the act of gulping or swallowing whole.

他一口吞下了那个饺子。 (He swallowed that dumpling in one gulp.)

吞咽 vs. 咽
咽 is more common in daily life and metaphorical expressions; 吞咽 is formal and physical.

他气得说不出话来，只能把泪水咽下去。 (He was so angry he couldn't speak, he could only swallow his tears.)

吞咽 vs. 咀嚼
咀嚼 is chewing; 吞咽 is swallowing. They are sequential actions.

细嚼慢咽 (xì jiáo màn yàn) means chew carefully and swallow slowly.

狼吞虎咽 (láng tūn hǔ yàn) means to eat like a wolf and tiger (devour ravenously).

医生检查了患者是否具有正常的吞咽功能。 (The doctor checked if the patient has normal swallowing function.)

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Examples by Level

1

我吞咽药片。

I swallow the pill.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

2

喝水可以帮助吞咽。

Drinking water can help swallowing.

Using the verb as a noun phrase object.

3

宝宝在吞咽牛奶。

The baby is swallowing milk.

Present continuous action using '在'.

4

吞咽疼吗？

Does it hurt to swallow?

Using the verb as the subject of the sentence.

5

慢慢吞咽食物。

Swallow food slowly.

Imperative sentence with an adverb.

6

他吞咽了一口水。

He swallowed a mouthful of water.

Using '了' to indicate completed action.

7

不要急着吞咽。

Don't rush to swallow.

Negative imperative with '不要'.

8

我能吞咽下这个吗？

Can I swallow this?

Using '能' for ability and '下' as a complement.

1

他觉得吞咽非常困难。

He feels that swallowing is very difficult.

Using '非常困难' to modify the swallowing action.

2

请把这口药吞咽下去。

Please swallow this medicine down.

Using '把' construction and resultative complement '下去'.

3

感冒时，吞咽会不舒服。

When you have a cold, swallowing will be uncomfortable.

Conditional '时' (when) clause.

4

医生在检查他的吞咽功能。

The doctor is checking his swallowing function.

Using '吞咽' as an attributive modifying '功能'.

5

小猫正在吞咽小鱼。

The kitten is swallowing a small fish.

Action in progress with '正在'.

6

这种食物很难吞咽。

This food is hard to swallow.

'很难' + Verb construction.

7

他紧张地吞咽了一下口水。

He nervously swallowed his saliva.

Adverbial '紧张地' modifying the verb.

8

吞咽后，他感觉好多了。

After swallowing, he felt much better.

'Verb + 后' (after doing something).

1

吞咽是消化过程的第一步。

Swallowing is the first step in the digestive process.

Using the verb as a formal noun-subject.

2

他艰难地吞咽着苦涩的药水。

He was swallowing the bitter medicine with difficulty.

Using '着' to indicate a continuous, descriptive state.

3

这种病会导致吞咽障碍。

This disease can lead to swallowing disorders.

Formal medical terminology: '吞咽障碍'.

4

他在撒谎时会频繁吞咽。

He swallows frequently when he lies.

Using '频繁' to describe the frequency of the action.

5

请确保你已经完全吞咽了食物。

Please make sure you have completely swallowed the food.

Using '完全' and '了' for complete action.

6

吞咽反射是一种不由自主的行为。

The swallowing reflex is an involuntary action.

Technical term: '吞咽反射'.

7

他屏住呼吸，用力吞咽。

He held his breath and swallowed hard.

Serial verb construction: '屏住...吞咽'.

8

这种药片太大，不方便吞咽。

This tablet is too large and not convenient to swallow.

'不方便' + Verb.

1

患者的吞咽能力正在逐渐恢复。

The patient's swallowing ability is gradually recovering.

Formal noun phrase: '吞咽能力'.

2

在恐惧中，他感到吞咽都变得沉重。

In fear, he felt even swallowing became heavy.

Metaphorical use of '沉重' with the physical act.

3

医生建议进行吞咽功能的评估。

The doctor suggested an evaluation of the swallowing function.

Formal verb '进行' + Noun phrase.

4

这种鸟通过特殊的吞咽方式进食。

This bird feeds through a special way of swallowing.

Using '方式' to describe the method.

5

他试图吞咽下那股愤怒，但失败了。

He tried to swallow down that surge of anger, but failed.

Abstract object '愤怒' used with physical verb.

6

吞咽过程涉及多组肌肉的协作。

The swallowing process involves the coordination of multiple muscle groups.

Subject '吞咽过程' + Verb '涉及'.

7

由于手术，他的吞咽动作显得僵硬。

Due to the surgery, his swallowing motion appeared stiff.

Adjective '僵硬' modifying '吞咽动作'.

8

请注意吞咽时的任何疼痛感。

Please note any sensation of pain during swallowing.

Using '任何' for 'any' in a formal instruction.

1

吞咽机制的复杂性常被人们忽视。

The complexity of the swallowing mechanism is often overlooked.

Passive structure with '被'.

2

他默默地吞咽着命运带来的苦果。

He silently swallowed the bitter fruit brought by fate.

Highly metaphorical use in literary context.

3

吞咽反射的缺失可能预示着神经系统的问题。

The absence of the swallowing reflex may indicate neurological issues.

Formal academic tone with '预示着'.

4

在庄严的仪式上，他紧张地吞咽了一下。

At the solemn ceremony, he swallowed nervously.

Contextual description of psychological state.

5

这种药物会抑制患者的吞咽中枢。

This drug inhibits the patient's swallowing center.

Technical term '吞咽中枢' (swallowing center).

6

他吞咽着未尽的话语，陷入了沉默。

He swallowed his unspoken words and fell into silence.

Poetic use of '吞咽' with '话语'.

7

研究表明，吞咽速度与年龄密切相关。

Research shows that swallowing speed is closely related to age.

Standard research reporting structure.

8

她用力吞咽，试图压抑住喉咙里的哽咽。

She swallowed hard, trying to suppress the sob in her throat.

Combining '吞咽' with '哽咽' (sob).

1

吞咽这一动作在生物进化史中具有重要地位。

The action of swallowing holds an important position in biological evolutionary history.

Using '这一动作' to emphasize the specific act.

2

他将所有的委屈都化作了一次深沉的吞咽。

He turned all his grievances into a deep swallow.

Abstract transformation using '化作'.

3

这种深海生物的吞咽结构极具独特性。

The swallowing structure of this deep-sea creature is highly unique.

High-level scientific description.

4

文字在他口中反复咀嚼，最终被艰难吞咽。

The words were chewed repeatedly in his mouth and finally swallowed with difficulty.

Metaphorical parallel between eating and thinking.

5

吞咽障碍的病理生理学研究已取得显著进展。

Significant progress has been made in the pathophysiological research of swallowing disorders.

Complex academic noun string.

6

在那个瞬间，他仿佛吞咽了整个宇宙的寂静。

At that moment, it was as if he had swallowed the silence of the entire universe.

Hyperbolic and poetic expression.

7

吞咽不仅是生理需求，更是生命力的体现。

Swallowing is not only a physiological need but also a manifestation of vitality.

'不仅是...更是...' structure.

8

他那次故作镇定的吞咽，出卖了他内心的惶恐。

That swallow of his, intended to show composure, betrayed his inner panic.

Complex subject phrase with '故作镇定'.

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