This is used as a metaphor for the feeling of jealousy, especially between the opposite sex. When people see his girl (or her boy) friend is having fun intimately with another boy (girl), a strong feeling will arise as swallowing down a big bowl of vinegar. That is "jealous" in a formal term.
【 【
lì 例
zǐ 子
】 】
例1:
A A
: :
wǒ 我
jiàn 建
yì 议
nǐ 你
zuì 最
hǎo 好
bié 别
gēn 跟
nā 那
gè 个
“ “
xiǎo 小
bái 白
liǎn 脸
” ”
lái 来
wǎng 往
。 。
B B
: :
zěn 怎
me 么
, ,
chī 吃
cù 醋
le 了
? ?
Ex1.
A: I would suggest you stop having dealings with that effeminate young man.
B: Why, you are jealous?
lì 例
2 2
: :
lǎo 老
zhāng 张
de 的
fū 夫
rén 人
ài 爱
chī 吃
cù 醋
, ,
dà 大
jiā 家
dōu 都
jiào 叫
tā 她
cù 醋
tán 坛
zǐ 子
。 。
Ex2: Lao Zhang's wife is a jealous woman with a nickname of a "vinegar jar".