Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
齲qǔ(qu3)
The character 齲 (qǔ) refers specifically to tooth decay or cavities in dental health. It is commonly used in medical contexts, particularly when discussing dental issues or hygiene, and highlights the importance of taking care of one's teeth to prevent decay.
Strokes24Radical齒Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining dental health is increasingly emphasized, especially as awareness of dental care grows. Traditional practices often included natural remedies, but modern dentistry is now widely accepted and promoted.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tooth being 'chewed' by bacteria, leading to decay. The character 齲 has the radical for teeth (齒) which relates to its meaning. Visualize a tooth with a 'Q' shape that is slowly turning into mush, reminding you of the pronunciation 'qǔ' and its meaning.
Meanings of 齲
qǔ(qu3)
1tooth decay
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 齲
齲Simplified
24Strokes
齒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 齲
Podcast: 齲
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 齲
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tooth being 'chewed' by bacteria, leading to decay. The character 齲 has the radical for teeth (齒) which relates to its meaning. Visualize a tooth with a 'Q' shape that is slowly turning into mush, reminding you of the pronunciation 'qǔ' and its meaning.
Usage Notes
This term is more commonly used in medical or dental discussions, so it may not be familiar in casual conversation. A common mistake is mispronouncing the tone; remember it is pronounced with a falling tone (qǔ) to convey the correct meaning. Collocations include '齲齒' (qǔchǐ), meaning 'decayed tooth.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 齲 is not included in the HSK list, it is relevant for learners interested in healthcare vocabulary. Focus on related terms like 牙齒 (yáchǐ - tooth) and 齒 (chǐ - teeth), as these will help in understanding dental health discussions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining dental health is increasingly emphasized, especially as awareness of dental care grows. Traditional practices often included natural remedies, but modern dentistry is now widely accepted and promoted.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 齲 with similar sounding words like 取 (qǔ), which means 'to take.' Always remember the context of dental health when using 齲.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 齲
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 齲 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 齲 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 齲
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, maintaining dental health is increasingly emphasized, especially as awareness of dental care grows. Traditional practices often included natural remedies, but modern dentistry is now widely accepted and promoted.
Word Family of 齲
Words Containing This Character4
龋齿tooth decay齲齒
龋qǔdecayed teeth齲
防龋anti-caries防齲
龋齿性caries-inducing齲齒性
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 龋齿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 齲
It is pronounced as 'qǔ' with the third tone.
No, it is more commonly used in medical contexts related to dental health.
齲 refers specifically to tooth decay, while 牙齒 refers to teeth in general.
