吹牛

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"吹牛" literally means "to blow cow," but idiomatically it means to brag or talk big, often exaggerating one's achievements or experiences. It is a colloquial expression commonly used in informal conversations.

Pragmatic Nuance

When someone says "吹牛," they imply that the speaker is not being entirely truthful or is exaggerating for effect. It can be playful or critical depending on tone and context.

Common Collocations

  • 吹牛 (chuī niúpí): to boast or brag, often used interchangeably with 吹牛 but slightly more vivid.
  • 吹牛: a gathering or contest of bragging, often humorous.

Usage Tips

"吹牛" is informal and often used among friends or in casual settings. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts. It contrasts with more neutral verbs like or , which simply mean "to say" or "to speak."

Example Sentences

He always likes to talk big, saying he knows many celebrities.

Stop talking big; the facts aren’t as exaggerated as you say.

He bragged that he ran ten kilometers, but actually only ran five.