yap
yap — verb
- yappresent simple I / you / we / they
- yaps3rd person singular
- yapping-ing form
- yappedpast simple
1. A small dog that yaps produces quick, high-pitched barks — the sound is sharp an
A small dog that yaps produces quick, high-pitched barks — the sound is sharp and repetitive, often triggered by people or other animals nearby.
Linh's tiny Chihuahua started to yap loudly whenever someone rang the doorbell.
yap + at trigger (doorbell, stranger)
The stray dog outside yapped at the mail carrier until she crossed the street.
Sofia could hear puppies yapping behind the counter at the pet store.
An elderly woman walked past with a small white dog that yapped at every bicycle.
文法句型
yap + at + noun phrase
用法筆記
Only used for small dogs (Chihuahuas, terriers, toy poodles). For larger dogs, use 'bark' instead.
常見錯誤
2. to talk a lot, especially in an annoying way about unimportant things
to talk a lot, especially in an annoying way about unimportant things
The guests at the party yapped about celebrity gossip for hours without stopping.
yap + about + topic (what is being talked about)
Hassan wished his coworker would stop yapping and finish the report on time.
A group of teenagers yapped on their phones throughout the entire train journey.
Instead of yapping about the problem, Constanza decided to take action and fix it.
- hush
to become quiet or silent
文法句型
yap + about + topic
用法筆記
Carries a mildly negative tone — used when the speaker finds the talking annoying or pointless. Not appropriate in formal writing.
常見錯誤
yap — noun
- yapsingular
- yapsplural
1. the quick, high-pitched barking noise that a small dog produces with each short
the quick, high-pitched barking noise that a small dog produces with each short cry
A sudden yap from under the sofa made the babysitter drop her cup of tea.
indefinite article: a yap
Liang could hear the yaps of small dogs coming from the animal shelter.
Each yap from the neighbour's new puppy sounded like a tiny rubber toy.
The constant yapping of terriers in the building led to several noise complaints.
文法句型
a yap
the yap of + noun phrase
用法筆記
The gerund form 'yapping' is also common as an uncountable noun meaning the sound itself ('the yapping kept me awake').
常見錯誤
2. a way of referring to a person's mouth, especially when they are talking too muc
a way of referring to a person's mouth, especially when they are talking too much or saying something they should not
The bus driver told the noisy passenger to shut his yap and sit down.
fixed phrase: 'shut your yap' — rude command to be quiet
Abigail knew she should keep her yap shut about her sister's surprise party.
fixed phrase: 'keep one's yap shut' — stay silent
If you had kept your yap shut, none of this would have happened.
Shanti warned her younger brother to keep his yap shut about the birthday gift they had bought.
文法句型
shut one's yap
keep one's yap shut
用法筆記
Strongly informal and can be rude or aggressive. Almost always appears in the fixed phrases 'shut your yap' or 'keep your yap shut'. Do not use in formal or polite conversation.