Usage and Context
The verb 呕吐 (ǒu tù) specifically means 'to vomit' or 'to throw up.' It is a formal or medical term often used in health-related contexts. It describes the physical act of expelling stomach contents through the mouth.
Common Collocations
- 呕吐不止 (ǒutù bùzhǐ): continuous vomiting, used when vomiting is persistent and severe.
- 呕吐物 (ǒutù wù): vomit, the substance that is vomited.
- 恶心呕吐 (ěxīn ǒutù): nausea and vomiting, often used together to describe symptoms.
Register and Tone
呕吐 is neutral and somewhat formal, suitable for medical reports, news, or serious conversations. In casual speech, people might use simpler expressions like 吐 (tù) or colloquial phrases.
Common Confusions
呕吐 combines two characters both related to expelling from the mouth: 呕 (to vomit) and 吐 (to spit). Alone, 吐 can mean 'to spit' or 'to vomit' depending on context, but 呕吐 specifically means 'to vomit.' Avoid confusing 呕吐 with 吐 when you want to emphasize the medical or physical act of vomiting.