Meanings of 啮
By ear
Play it, then pick what 啮 means.
About 啮
Podcast: 啮
Podcast: 啮
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 啮
咬 (yǎo) vs 啮 (niè) — use 咬 for a more general or immediate action of biting, while 啮 emphasizes a gradual gnawing or erosion.
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 'niè,' as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other similar words. It's often used in informal contexts, especially in discussions about animal behavior or natural processes. Common collocations include 啮齿动物 (niè chǐ dòng wù), meaning 'gnawing animals' or 'rodents.'
Although 啮 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be beneficial for learners at HSK Level 3 or higher as they expand their vocabulary related to nature and animal behaviors. Focus on the context in which this word is used, especially in descriptive language.
Learners often confuse 啮 with 吮 (shǔn), which means 'to suck.' For example, saying '我喜欢啮这个糖果' (wǒ xǐ huān niè zhège tángguǒ) to mean 'I like to suck on this candy' is incorrect; it should be 吮 (shǔn) instead.
Pronunciation of 啮
Drill the tone of 啮, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 啮 to you
Let me explain 啮 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 啮 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 啮?
Learning Lab
Knowing 啮 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 啮
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 齿 represents the sound. Simplified form of 嚙.
mouth
Origin
啮 = 口 + 齿. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 啮
Parts
Which of these is part of 啮?
How to say to bite, to gnaw in Chinese
“to bite, to gnaw” in Chinese is啮
The character 啮 (niè) primarily means 'to bite' or 'to gnaw,' often referring to the action of animals or insects. It can also imply the gradual erosion of materials over time. This word is commonly used in contexts related to nature and the physical degradation of objects.
When to use 啮
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 'niè,' as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other similar words. It's often used in informal contexts, especially in discussions about animal behavior or natural processes. Common collocations include 啮齿动物 (niè chǐ dòng wù), meaning 'gnawing animals' or 'rodents.'
啮 or something close to it
咬 (yǎo) vs 啮 (niè) — use 咬 for a more general or immediate action of biting, while 啮 emphasizes a gradual gnawing or erosion.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 啮 with 吮 (shǔn), which means 'to suck.' For example, saying '我喜欢啮这个糖果' (wǒ xǐ huān niè zhège tángguǒ) to mean 'I like to suck on this candy' is incorrect; it should be 吮 (shǔn) instead.
Write 啮
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 啮 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 啮
啮 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
螺母上有内 ( 或阴 ) 螺纹,与螺栓上的螺纹相____合.
Nuts have internal ( or female ) threads to match those of the Bolt.
Example sentences for 啮 (3)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 啮?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 啮
Words with 啮
What does 啮合 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 啮
You can encounter 啮 in phrases like 啮齿动物 (niè chǐ dòng wù), which refers to rodents or gnawing animals.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 啮?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.