嘘寒问暖
xū hán wèn nuǎn
to ask after someone’s comfort; to show warm concern
Character by character
嘘xū
breathe on
breathe on
寒hán
cold
cold
问wèn
ask about
ask about
暖nuǎn
warmth
warmth
Example
天一变冷，妈妈就打电话来嘘寒问暖，问我衣服够不够穿。
The moment the weather turns cold, Mum rings to ask how I am and whether I have enough warm clothes.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
嘘 is to breathe warm air on someone. Concern for daily needs: of family and carers, and in news reports of officials visiting people (到…家里嘘寒问暖). Can be ironic of concern that costs nothing.
Learn this in Lesson 46 · HSK 5–6: 孝与顺 (Filial piety)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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