About
The character "蛀" is structured as a semantic-phonetic compound with the radical 虫 denoting insect and the component 主 indicating pronunciation. Its etymology relates to insects that bore into wood or similar materials, with the meaning directly derived from this destructive activity. The application of "蛀" later broadened from referring specifically to the boring insects themselves to also describing the damage they cause, such as in the compound "蛀牙" for dental decay. This shift in meaning occurred without alteration to the character's compositional form.
Example Sentences Hide
我的牙齿有蛀牙。
蛀牙会引起牙痛。
他去看牙医治蛀牙。
预防蛀牙要勤刷牙。
木头被虫子蛀了。
这本书被蛀虫咬坏了。
长期不护理牙齿容易蛀牙。
蛀虫在树干里钻了许多洞。