What is "tsk" ?

It’s a sound some people make to express disapproval. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tsk-tsk To the right of the big “tsk-tsk” word is a red sound icon. That would tell you how it sounds.

@snowberry Thanks. Is it the sound when you snap your lips in disapproval? What is that called them?

I suppose tsk could stand for any number of sounds you make with your lips to express disapproval. I suppose someone could say something like, “She tsked at me,”

Scroll down to the bottom of my link, and you will see the word “show” in red. That’s a link to about 35 comments that people have answered the question why they looked up that word. I think that might help clear up any misunderstandings.

@snowberry Thanks. I tsk when on the phone and I overhear Trump going to a new low. It is like snapping my lips like my thumb.

@RedDeerGuy1 A certain sound that is made with the lips that is not “tsk” is referred to as a “smack” : ” 1. A quick, sharp noise made by rapidly compressing and opening the lips in gusto, kissing, etc. 2. a loud kiss; a buss. 3. A resounding slap or crack. -v. t. slap with a smack. – v. i. To make or give a smack, or smacks. -adv. With the sudden violence of a smack; also, completely.” -from Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1960 edition

Another term in this light might be to “smack one’s lips with derision” or disapproval, or distaste.

Sort of akin to tch tch or tut tut disapproval.

A good example of onomatopoeia, expressing disdain for someone’s actions.

The tsk-tsk sound is made by sucking a bit of air through the teeth and tongue by holding the jaws closed, the lips slightly apart and causing the quick successive sound with the tongue. (Just adding this to show the difference between “tsk – tsk” and the lip smacking I mentioned before.)

Sometimes it is used satirically by actually saying tsk, tsk.

I think it’s an onomatopoeia mimicking the tongue clicking in disapproval.

Also seen it spelled “tch” in comic books mostly.