吃豆腐
Chinese
editeat; eradicate; destroy eat; eradicate; destroy; receive; stammer |
tofu; bean curd; any food with tofu-like physical quality | ||
---|---|---|---|
simp. and trad. (吃豆腐) |
吃 | 豆腐 | |
Literally: “to eat tofu”. |
Etymology
editFrom Qing Dynasty novel 《驚夢啼》, in which many men patronized a tofu business for the opportunity to flirt with the beautiful owner.
Pronunciation
edit- Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese)+
- Hanyu Pinyin:
- Zhuyin: ㄔ ㄉㄡˋ ˙ㄈㄨ
- Tongyong Pinyin: chih dòufů
- Wade–Giles: chʻih1 tou4-fu5
- Yale: chr̄ dòu-fu
- Gwoyeu Romatzyh: chy dow.fu
- Palladius: чи доуфу (či doufu)
- Sinological IPA (key): /ʈ͡ʂʰʐ̩⁵⁵ toʊ̯⁵¹ fu¹/
- (Standard Chinese)+
- Wu
Verb
edit吃豆腐
- (slang) to come on to a woman; to flirt; to grope; to touch up
- (slang) to ridicule; to jeer at
- (slang) to visit the newly bereaved to offer one’s condolences
Usage notes
edit- This idiom usually only refers to a man taking advantage of a woman in a sexual manner.