龈

齦

kěn, yín

艮 + 齿

Definitions

kěn variant of 啃[kěn]

yín gums (of the teeth)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 齿 represents the meaning and 艮 represents the sound. Simplified form of 齦.

Semantic: 齿 Phonetic: 艮

About

The character 龈 (traditional form 齦) is a phono-semantic compound. Its left component, the radical 齿, provides the semantic category related to teeth, while the right component 艮 serves as the phonetic element. The character specifically denotes the gums, the firm, mucosal tissue covering the jawbone and surrounding the base of the teeth. Due to this precise anatomical meaning, it is used almost exclusively in medical and dental contexts when discussing oral health, periodontal conditions, or mouth structure. The term remains literal and does not typically extend to abstract or metaphorical applications.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的牙龈很健康。

Wǒ de yáyín hěn jiànkāng.

My gums are very healthy.

刷牙可以保护牙龈。

Shuāyá kěyǐ bǎohù yáyín.

Brushing teeth can protect gums.

如果牙龈出血，要看牙医。

Rúguǒ yáyín chūxiě, yào kàn yáyī.

If gums bleed, you should see a dentist.

健康的牙龈应该是粉红色的。

Jiànkāng de yáyín yīnggāi shì fěnhóngsè de.

Healthy gums should be pink.

每天使用牙线清洁牙龈。

Měitiān shǐyòng yáxiàn qīngjié yáyín.

Use dental floss to clean gums daily.

不注意口腔卫生会导致牙龈炎。

Bù zhùyì kǒuqiāng wèishēng huì dǎozhì yáyínyán.

Not paying attention to oral hygiene can lead to gingivitis.

定期检查牙齿和牙龈能预防许多疾病。

Dìngqī jiǎnchá yáchǐ hé yáyín néng yùfáng xǔduō jíbìng.

Regular check-ups of teeth and gums can prevent many diseases.

牙龈萎缩可能是牙周病的早期症状之一。

Yáyín wěisuō kěnéng shì yázhōubìng de zǎoqī zhèngzhuàng zhī yī.

Gum recession might be one of the early symptoms of periodontal disease.

Related Characters

Component: 艮

Component: 齿

龈