Definition
齿 is a bound form (b.f.) rarely used alone. Its core meaning is 'tooth' or 'tooth-like object', appearing in compounds like 牙齿 (teeth) and 齿轮 (gear). In literary Chinese, it can also mean 'age' (年齿) or 'to mention' — almost always in the negative 不齿 (to disdain to mention). Because it is a bound form, you must pair it with another character to form a word in modern Mandarin.
b.f.
toothtooth-like object (in compounds)(literary, formal) age(literary, formal) to mentionusually in the negative (不齿)
Examples
- 。Tā de yáchǐ hěn bái.Her teeth are very white.
- 。Zhège jīqì xūyào yòng chǐlún lái yùnzhuǎn.This machine needs a gear to operate.
- 。Tā de xíngwéi lìng rén bùchǐ.His behavior is beneath contempt.
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