niè
嗫
speak softly; hesitate to speak
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 3 examplesverb
to speak in a low voice; to mumble
literaryOften describes speaking hesitantly, timidly, or quietly. It's primarily used in fixed compounds or literary contexts.
Tā他
niè嗫
rú嚅
zhe着
bù不
gǎn敢
shuō说
chū出
zhēn真
xiàng相
。
He mumbled and didn't dare speak the truth.
Zhǐ只
tīng听
tā他
niè嗫
rú嚅
le了
jǐ几
jù句
，
méi没
rén人
tīng听
qīng清
。
We only heard him mutter a few words; no one could make them out.
verb
to hesitate to speak; to be on the verge of speaking
literaryDescribes a state of indecision or fear when trying to speak. Almost exclusively used in the compound '嗫嚅'.
Tā他
zhàn站
zài在
mén门
kǒu口
，
yī一
fù副
niè嗫
rú嚅
yù欲
yán言
de的
yàng样
zi子
。
He stood at the door, looking as if he wanted to say something but was hesitating.