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March 24, 2026
咀jǔ(ju3)
The character 咀 (jǔ) primarily means 'to chew' or 'to masticate.' It is often used in the context of eating or tasting food, emphasizing the act of breaking down substances in the mouth. This word can also imply the action of sucking or savoring something, often associated with enjoying flavors.
Strokes8Radical口Frequency#32383DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of savoring food is often celebrated, especially during family gatherings. The concept of 'chewing' is tied to the importance of enjoying flavors and the communal experience of meals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big, juicy piece of fruit that you just can't wait to chew. The character 咀 looks like a mouth (口) with an additional top (土) that represents the weight of the food being enjoyed. This imagery connects the action of chewing (jǔ) with the mouth (口) as the central component.
Meanings of 咀
jǔ(ju3)
1to chew
2to masticate
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 咀
咀Simplified
8Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#32383Frequency Rank
Podcast: 咀
Podcast: 咀
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AI Study Notes for 咀
Quick Contrast
咀 (jǔ, to chew) vs 嚼 (jiáo, to chew thoroughly) — use 咀 for a more general act of chewing, while 嚼 emphasizes a thorough or prolonged chewing action.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a big, juicy piece of fruit that you just can't wait to chew. The character 咀 looks like a mouth (口) with an additional top (土) that represents the weight of the food being enjoyed. This imagery connects the action of chewing (jǔ) with the mouth (口) as the central component.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 咀 with similar-sounding characters. It's important to use it in contexts related to eating or tasting rather than in abstract discussions. Note that this term is generally informal, so it may not be appropriate for formal writing.
HSK Study Tips
While 咀 is not included in the HSK word list, it can be beneficial for learners at HSK 3-4, especially those interested in food-related vocabulary. Focus on using it in sentences about meals or dining experiences to reinforce its meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of savoring food is often celebrated, especially during family gatherings. The concept of 'chewing' is tied to the importance of enjoying flavors and the communal experience of meals.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is to confuse 咀 with 嚼 (jiáo), as both relate to chewing. For example, saying '我在嚼这个苹果' instead of '我在咀嚼这个苹果' is incorrect if you specifically want to emphasize the act of chewing gently.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 咀
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Grammar Patterns of 咀
咀 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
In Chinese culture, the act of savoring food is often celebrated, especially during family gatherings. The concept of 'chewing' is tied to the importance of enjoying flavors and the communal experience of meals.
Word Family of 咀
Words Containing This Character5
咀嚼jǔjuéto chew
咀jǔto chew
含英咀华to savor fine writing (idiom)含英咀華
石咀山Shijushan or Shizuishan (place name)
石咀山市variant of Shizuishan 石嘴山市[Shízuǐshānshì], prefecture level city in Ningxia on the border with Inner Mongolia
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 咀嚼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 咀
You can say, '我在咀嚼这个苹果' (Wǒ zài jǔjué zhège píngguǒ), meaning 'I am chewing this apple.'
No, 咀 is more commonly used in casual conversation and may not be suitable for formal writing.
Synonyms include 嚼 (jiáo), which also means 'to chew,' but can imply a more vigorous action.
