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齷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
齷wònarrow, small-minded; dirty (1)x, 24 strokes, radical 齒
wò(wo4)wo T4
  1. 1narrow, small-minded; dirty (1)
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March 24, 2026

齷wò(wo4)

The character 齷 (wò) refers to something that is narrow or small-minded, as well as dirty or unclean. It is often used in contexts that describe physical spaces that are cramped or figuratively to describe a person's mindset that is limited or petty.

Strokes24Radical齒
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese thought, having a narrow or small-minded perspective is often viewed negatively, as it limits one's potential for personal growth and understanding of the world. This reflects the broader cultural value placed on wisdom and open-mindedness.

Memory tip

To remember 齷 (wò), imagine a narrow, dark alley where dirt accumulates. The character's radical 齒 (tooth) suggests a narrow mouth, as if someone is too small-minded to see the bigger picture, leading to a dirty outlook on life.

Meanings of 齷

wò(wo4)
1narrow, small-minded; dirty (1)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 齷

齷Simplified
24Strokes
齒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 齷

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AI study notes for 齷

Usage Notes

This character is quite formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. Be cautious about its negative connotations when describing someone’s attitude or environment. The tone is crucial; ensure the fourth tone is pronounced correctly to convey the intended meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 齷 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to other descriptive terms about character and space. Focus on the contrast between this word and positive descriptors to enhance your vocabulary depth.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 齷 with similar sounding words like 瓦 (wǎ, tile) due to pronunciation. Remember that 齷 refers to narrowness and dirtiness, while 瓦 relates to objects and materials.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 齷

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Etymology of 齷

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 齿 represents the meaning and 屋 represents the sound. Simplified form of 齷.

Memory hint

teeth

Semantic (meaning)齒
+
Phonetic (sound)屋
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

齷 = 齒 + 屋. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 齷

IDS Structure⿰齒屋
齷Full character
=
齒chi3
left
屋wu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 齷?

How to say narrow, small-minded; dirty (1) in Chinese

“narrow, small-minded; dirty (1)” in Chinese is齷wò

The character 齷 (wò) refers to something that is narrow or small-minded, as well as dirty or unclean. It is often used in contexts that describe physical spaces that are cramped or figuratively to describe a person's mindset that is limited or petty.

When to use 齷

This character is quite formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. Be cautious about its negative connotations when describing someone’s attitude or environment. The tone is crucial; ensure the fourth tone is pronounced correctly to convey the intended meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 齷 with similar sounding words like 瓦 (wǎ, tile) due to pronunciation. Remember that 齷 refers to narrowness and dirtiness, while 瓦 relates to objects and materials.

Write 齷

齷

Practice writing 齷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 齷

Words containing this character3
龌龊wòchuòdirty齷齪
龌wòdirty齷
卑鄙龌龊bēibǐwòchuòsordid and contemptible (idiom); vile and repulsive (esp. character or action)卑鄙齷齪
Exercise 1 of 3

Words with 齷

What does 龌龊 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 齷

You can use words like 狭窄 (xiázhǎi) which means narrow, or 小气 (xiǎoqì) which means petty.

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