Definitions

to chew; to masticate
zuǐ popular variant of 嘴[zuǐ]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 咀, structured with the mouth radical 口 alongside the component 且, has historically denoted actions involving the mouth such as chewing or tasting, with the 且 element primarily functioning as a phonetic indicator while the radical anchors its meaning in oral activity. Over time, its semantic range has consistently centered on processes like mastication and savoring, as seen in enduring compounds such as 咀嚼, which directly references chewing. Although its application in modern language has become more specialized, often appearing in literary or formal contexts rather than everyday speech, the character maintains its fundamental association with mouth-based actions without significant divergence from its original conceptual core.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他在嚼一块糖。

Tā zài jǔjué yī kuài táng.

He is chewing a piece of candy.

小狗喜欢嚼玩具。

Xiǎo gǒu xǐhuān jǔjué wánjù.

The puppy likes to chew toys.

嚼食物要细嚼慢咽。

Jǔjué shíwù yào xì jiáo màn yàn.

Chew food slowly and thoroughly.

嚼着美味的牛排。

Tā jǔjué zhe měiwèi de niúpái.

She is chewing the delicious steak.

充分嚼有助于营养吸收。

Chōngfèn jǔjué yǒu zhù yú yíngyǎng xīshōu.

Thorough chewing aids nutrient absorption.

嚼动作能锻炼面部肌肉。

Jǔjué dòngzuò néng duànliàn miànbù jīròu.

The chewing motion can exercise facial muscles.

科学家研究嚼与记忆的关系。

Kēxuéjiā yánjiū jǔjué yǔ jìyì de guānxì.

Scientists study the relationship between chewing and memory.

嚼频率可能影响胃部消化效率。

Jǔjué pínlǜ kěnéng yǐngxiǎng wèibù xiāohuà xiàolǜ.

Chewing frequency may affect the efficiency of stomach digestion.