Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
齪chuò(chuo4)
The character 齪 (chuò) refers to something that is narrow or small-minded, often implying a lack of breadth in perspective or an inability to think beyond immediate concerns. It can also denote something that is dirty or unclean, reflecting a physical state of being tainted or sullied.
Strokes22Radical齒Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 'narrow-minded' (齪) is often viewed negatively, especially in social contexts where open-mindedness is valued. This character might come up in discussions about societal norms or the importance of adaptability.
Memory Tip
Imagine a narrow alley (representing 'narrow') that is cluttered with dirt and garbage (symbolizing 'dirty'). The sound 'chuò' resembles the noise made when you're trying to squeeze through a tight space while stepping on something unpleasant.
Meanings of 齪
chuò(chuo4)
1narrow, small-minded; dirty (2)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 齪
齪Simplified
22Strokes
齒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 齪
Podcast: 齪
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 齪
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a narrow alley (representing 'narrow') that is cluttered with dirt and garbage (symbolizing 'dirty'). The sound 'chuò' resembles the noise made when you're trying to squeeze through a tight space while stepping on something unpleasant.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone as 'chuò' is pronounced with a falling tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced. This word is more commonly used in literary contexts rather than everyday conversation, making it somewhat formal. Common collocations include phrases describing narrow-minded attitudes or filthy conditions.
HSK Study Tips
Although 齪 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding this character can help in recognizing more complex adjectives related to judgment and cleanliness. Students should focus on the nuances of describing personality traits and physical states.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 'narrow-minded' (齪) is often viewed negatively, especially in social contexts where open-mindedness is valued. This character might come up in discussions about societal norms or the importance of adaptability.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 齪 with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect meanings. For instance, using 齪 when they mean 'clean' instead of understanding its negative connotation of being dirty.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 齪
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 齪 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 齪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 齪
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being 'narrow-minded' (齪) is often viewed negatively, especially in social contexts where open-mindedness is valued. This character might come up in discussions about societal norms or the importance of adaptability.
Word Family of 齪
Words Containing This Character3
龌龊dirty齷齪
龊chuòdirty齪
卑鄙龌龊sordid and contemptible (idiom); vile and repulsive (esp. character or action)卑鄙齷齪
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 龌龊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 齪
No, 齪 is more frequently found in literary contexts and is not a common word in everyday speech.
Synonyms include 狭隘 (xiá ài) for narrow-minded and 脏 (zāng) for dirty.
Link 'chuò' to the action of squeezing through a narrow space, which can help you recall both the sound and the meaning.
