About
The character 龀 refers to the biological transition where a child loses primary teeth and gains permanent ones, marking a shift from early childhood. Its structure combines the semantic radical 齿, which indicates the domain of teeth, with the right component 匕, which primarily provides phonetic value while also hinting at transformation. In its traditional form 齔, the radical appears as 齒 alongside the same phonetic element. Beyond its literal dental meaning, the character has been used in classical literature as a formal term for childhood itself.
Etymology Hide
