Definitions

chǐ (noun) tooth

Etymology

Simplified form of . Pictograph of a mouth full of teeth. The sound component was added later.

About

The character "齿" originated as a pictograph depicting teeth within a mouth, which over time stylized into the traditional form "齒", structured with "止" as a phonetic component above a mouth enclosure. The simplified form "齿" preserves the "止" element while simplifying the lower section. Its primary meaning of "tooth" has remained consistent, but it later expanded to denote gear teeth and, metaphorically, age in certain contexts.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的牙齿很白。

Wǒ de yáchǐ hěn bái.

My teeth are very white.

医生检查了我的牙齿

Yīshēng jiǎnchá le wǒ de yáchǐ.

The doctor checked my teeth.

这个机器有齿轮。

Zhège jīqì yǒu chǐlún.

This machine has gears.

小孩子要保护牙齿

Xiǎo háizi yào bǎohù yáchǐ.

Children should protect their teeth.

锯子上有锯齿

Jùzi shàng yǒu jùchǐ.

The saw has saw teeth.

定期看牙医对牙齿好。

Dìngqī kàn yáyī duì yáchǐ hǎo.

Regular dental check-ups are good for teeth.

齿轮和齿条一起工作。

Chǐlún hé chǐtiáo yīqǐ gōngzuò.

Gears and racks work together.

这种材料的齿形设计很独特。

Zhè zhǒng cáiliào de chǐ xíng shèjì hěn dútè.

The tooth profile design of this material is very unique.