yap

/jæp/ (bre, ipa) · [jˈæp] /jæp/ (ame, ipa) · [jˈæp] /ˈyap/ (ame, mw)

yap — verb

  • yappresent simple I / you / we / they
  • yaps3rd person singular
  • yapping-ing form
  • yappedpast simple

1. to make short, sharp, high-pitched barking sounds one after another, in the way

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to make short, sharp, high-pitched barking sounds one after another, in the way a small dog does

例句

The neighbour's little terrier yaps at every passing bicycle on the street.

yap + at + [thing passing by]

Elena's puppy yapped excitedly when Christopher arrived with a new squeaky toy.

同義詞
  • bark

    general term for any dog sound, not limited to small breeds or high pitch

  • yelp

    suggests a single sharp cry, often of pain or surprise, not repeated barking

  • yip

    even shorter and higher than yap; common for puppies

文法句型

yap + adverb/prepositional phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used with the preposition 'at' to indicate the target of the barking.

常見錯誤

❌The big German shepherd yapped at the stranger.
✅The big German shepherd barked at the stranger.
💡'yap' is normally used for small dogs, not large breeds.

2. to talk continuously in a noisy or annoying way, especially about things that ar

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to talk continuously in a noisy or annoying way, especially about things that are not important or interesting

例句

Tariq's uncle yapped about his golf game for an hour at dinner.

yap + about + [topic] for talking about something specific

The two women yapped on the train the whole way about their neighbours' problems.

同義詞
  • chatter

    less negative than yap, can be neutral or friendly

  • prattle

    suggests childish or foolish talk, slightly old-fashioned

  • gab

    American English informal, implies idle or casual conversation

反義詞
  • listen

    opposite action; paying attention instead of talking

文法句型

yap + about + [topic]

yap + on + [time period]

用法筆記

Carries a mildly negative tone — implies the speaker finds the talk annoying or trivial. Not used for formal or serious conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The professor yapped about quantum physics for three hours.
✅The professor lectured about quantum physics for three hours.
💡'yap' is too informal and dismissive for a respected speaker on a serious topic.

yap — noun