be embarrassed; hit a snag; break down
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to be embarrassed or put in a difficult situation; to fail when expected to perform; to break down (of machinery)
dialectOriginally from northern Chinese dialects (especially Beijing dialect), this colloquial expression likens the embarrassment of failing to a deflated tire (瘪). Often implies a sudden inability to perform when put on the spot.
Wǒ我
de的
wài外
yǔ语
bù不
xíng行
，
ràng让
wǒ我
dāng当
fān翻
yì译
，
fēi非
zuō作
biě瘪
zi子
bù不
kě可
。
My foreign language skills aren't good; if you make me work as a translator, I'll definitely be put in a difficult position.
Píng平
shí时
chuī吹
de得
tiān天
huā花
luàn乱
zhuì坠
，
zhēn真
dào到
gàn干
shí实
shì事
de的
shí时
hòu候
jiù就
zuō作
biě瘪
zi子
le了
。
He usually brags to the skies, but when it actually comes to doing real work, he hits a snag.
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Zhè这
tái台
lǎo老
yé爷
chē车
kāi开
dào到
bàn半
lù路
jiù就
zuō作
biě瘪
zi子
le了
，
wǒ我
men们
zhǐ只
hǎo好
zǒu走
lù路
huí回
qù去
。
This old car broke down halfway, so we had to walk back.
Bié别
kàn看
tā他
píng平
shí时
tǐng挺
néng能
shuō说
de的
，
yī一
dào到
zhèng正
shì式
chǎng场
hé合
jiù就
zuō作
biě瘪
zi子
。
Don't be fooled by his usual talkativeness; he clams up as soon as he's in a formal setting.