Dictionary
English - Chinese

Rub

rəb
Extremely common
700 - 800
700 - 800
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

摩擦, 擦拭, 涂抹, 擦伤, 揉搓

Rub meanings in Chinese

摩擦

Example:
She rubbed her hands together to keep warm.
她搓了搓手以保持温暖。
He rubbed the stain with soap.
他用肥皂擦拭污渍。
Usage: informalContext: Used in everyday situations when talking about physical actions involving friction.
Note: 摩擦通常指用某种物体的表面在另一物体的表面上来回移动。

擦拭

Example:
Please rub the table to remove the dust.
请擦拭桌子以去除灰尘。
He rubbed the glass until it was clean.
他擦拭玻璃直到干净。
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in cleaning contexts, whether it be furniture, surfaces, or other items.
Note: 擦拭通常强调清洁表面的动作。

涂抹

Example:
She rubbed lotion on her skin.
她在皮肤上涂抹了乳液。
He rubbed oil on the wooden furniture.
他在木家具上涂抹了油。
Usage: informalContext: Used when applying creams, oils, or other substances to a surface.
Note: 涂抹通常涉及将液体或膏状物质均匀地涂抹在表面上。

擦伤

Example:
He got a rub on his knee from falling.
他摔倒时膝盖擦伤了。
The rub on her arm was painful.
她手臂上的擦伤很疼。
Usage: informalContext: Used in medical or injury contexts, referring to abrasions or scrapes.
Note: 擦伤指的是皮肤表面被刮擦或摩擦后产生的伤口。

揉搓

Example:
He rubbed the dough with his hands.
他用手揉搓面团。
She rubbed the fabric to make it softer.
她揉搓布料使其更加柔软。
Usage: informalContext: Used in cooking or crafting contexts when working with materials.
Note: 揉搓通常指用手掌或手指轻轻地按压和移动物体。

Rub's synonyms

massage

To massage means to apply pressure or knead with the hands to relieve tension or pain in the body. It is a more gentle and therapeutic action compared to simply rubbing.
Example: She massaged her sore muscles after a long workout.
Note: Massage involves more deliberate and focused movements for therapeutic purposes.

scrub

To scrub means to clean or rub something hard with a brush or a rough material to remove dirt or stains. It implies a more vigorous and thorough action than just rubbing.
Example: She scrubbed the floor until it was sparkling clean.
Note: Scrubbing involves a more intensive and forceful action to clean or remove dirt.

polish

To polish means to make something smooth and shiny by rubbing or buffing. It often involves using a polishing agent or cloth to enhance the appearance of an object.
Example: He polished his shoes until they gleamed.
Note: Polishing focuses on making something smooth and shiny, often using specific products or techniques.

Rub expressions, common phrases

Rub shoulders with

To spend time with or be in the company of someone who is important or famous.
Example: I had the opportunity to rub shoulders with some industry leaders at the conference.
Note: This phrase uses 'rub' metaphorically to mean being in close contact or association with someone.

Rub someone the wrong way

To annoy or irritate someone.
Example: His sarcastic comments always rub me the wrong way.
Note: In this idiom, 'rub' is used to convey causing discomfort or annoyance.

Rub it in

To keep reminding someone of their mistake or failure in a way that is annoying or hurtful.
Example: I know I made a mistake, you don't have to keep rubbing it in.
Note: Here, 'rub' is used to emphasize the action of making someone feel bad about something they did.

Rub salt in the wound

To make a painful situation even more painful for someone.
Example: Bringing up her failed relationship was like rubbing salt in the wound.
Note: Similar to 'rub it in,' this idiom intensifies the pain or discomfort felt by someone.

Rub elbows with

To associate or mingle with important or influential people.
Example: As a journalist, I get to rub elbows with politicians and celebrities.
Note: This phrase is similar to 'rub shoulders with' and uses 'rub' to indicate close interaction or connection.

Rub the wrong way

To annoy or irritate someone.
Example: His condescending attitude always rubs me the wrong way.
Note: Similar to 'rub someone the wrong way,' this idiom conveys causing irritation or discomfort.

Rub up against

To come into conflict or opposition with something.
Example: The new policy rubs up against our established procedures.
Note: In this phrase, 'rub' implies encountering friction or disagreement with existing practices or rules.

Rub everyday (slang) expressions

Rubber

In British English, 'rubber' refers to an eraser used for removing pencil marks. This term can cause confusion for American English speakers who associate 'rubber' with a different meaning.
Example: I need to get a new rubber for my pencil.
Note: The original word 'rub' refers to applying pressure in a back-and-forth motion, while 'rubber' is a specific term for an eraser.

Rubberneck

'Rubberneck' means to turn one's head to stare at something of interest or something unusual, often causing a traffic jam. This term is commonly used to describe drivers who slow down to look at accidents or other incidents.
Example: Don't rubberneck at the accident scene; it's disrespectful.
Note: The original word 'rub' involves applying pressure, while 'rubberneck' refers to turning one's neck to look.

Rubber room

In the educational context, 'rubber room' refers to a place where disruptive or problematic students are isolated or disciplined.
Example: The disruptive student was sent to the rubber room for detention.
Note: The original word 'rub' involves applying pressure, while 'rubber room' refers to a specific location for handling disciplinary issues.

Rubbing elbows

To 'rub elbows' means to mingle or associate closely with someone, especially someone influential or well-known.
Example: At the conference, I was rubbing elbows with some influential industry leaders.
Note: The original word 'rub' means to apply pressure, while 'rubbing elbows' refers to socializing or networking with others.

Rubber check

A 'rubber check' is a check that bounces due to insufficient funds in the account. It's a metaphorical term denoting a check that is not backed by real money.
Example: His promise to invest was just a rubber check; it bounced when I tried to cash it.
Note: The original word 'rub' involves applying pressure, while 'rubber check' refers to a bounced or invalid check.

Rub - Examples

I rubbed my eyes when I woke up.
我醒来的时候揉了揉我的眼睛。
The cat rubbed against my leg.
猫在我腿上蹭来蹭去。
There was a lot of friction and rubbing between the two surfaces.
两个表面之间有很多摩擦揉搓

Rub grammar

Rub - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: rub
Conjugations
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): rub
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): rubbed
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): rubbing
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): rubs
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): rub
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): rub
Syllables, Separation and Stress
rub Contains 1 syllables: rub
Phonetic transcription: ˈrəb
rub , ˈrəb (The red syllable is stressed)

Rub - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
rub: 700 - 800 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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