蛀

zhù
主 + 虫

Definitions

zhù termite; to bore (of insects)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 虫 represents the meaning and 主 represents the sound.

Semantic: 虫 Phonetic: 主

About

蛀 is a phono-semantic compound describing the action of insects boring into or decaying materials like wood, books, or teeth. The left semantic radical 虫 (chóng, insect) indicates the biological agent of destruction. The right component 主 (zhǔ) provides the pronunciation. Originally referring to wood-boring insects or moths, the meaning extended to the verb for the process of being eaten away by pests. In modern use, it describes dental cavities, ruined wooden furniture, and metaphorically, systems suffering internal decay.

Example Sentences Hide

我的牙齿有蛀牙。

Wǒ de yáchǐ yǒu zhùyá.

My tooth has a cavity.

蛀牙会引起牙痛。

Zhùyá huì yǐnqǐ yátòng.

Cavities can cause toothache.

他去看牙医治蛀牙。

Tā qù kàn yáyī zhì zhùyá.

He went to see the dentist to treat his cavity.

预防蛀牙要勤刷牙。

Yùfáng zhùyá yào qín shuāyá.

To prevent cavities, one should brush teeth frequently.

木头被虫子蛀了。

Mùtou bèi chóngzi zhù le.

The wood was eaten by insects.

这本书被蛀虫咬坏了。

Zhè běn shū bèi zhùchóng yǎo huài le.

This book was damaged by bookworms.

长期不护理牙齿容易蛀牙。

Chángqī bù hùlǐ yáchǐ róngyì zhùyá.

Not taking care of teeth for a long time can easily lead to cavities.

蛀虫在树干里钻了许多洞。

Zhùchóng zài shùgàn lǐ zuān le xǔduō dòng.

The borers drilled many holes in the tree trunk.

Related Characters

Component: 主

住 往 注 驻 柱 拄 炷 麈 駐 砫 註 妵 黈

Component: 虫

虽 独 触 融 虫 蛋 蛇 蜂 蜜 蛮 虹 蝶 螺 蚁

Example Words

蛀牙 蛀虫 虫蛀