Meanings of 龈
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About 龈
Podcast: 龈
Podcast: 龈
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AI Study Notes for 龈
Common mistakes include confusing 龈 with similar-sounding characters or using it in informal contexts where a more common term like 牙齦 (yágín) might be preferred. It’s important to use the formal term 龈 in medical discussions. Pay attention to the tone; the correct pronunciation is kěn with a third tone.
While 龈 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enrich your knowledge of dental terms in Chinese. It connects with other health-related vocabulary, such as 牙 (yá, tooth) and 口腔 (kǒuqiāng, oral cavity), which you may encounter at HSK 3 and beyond.
Learners often confuse 龈 with 牙 (yá, tooth) and may mistakenly use it in places where a more general term for gums is appropriate. For example, saying 龈 to refer to gums in a casual setting might sound overly formal; instead, use 牙齦.
Pronunciation of 龈
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Etymology of 龈
Phonosemantic compound. 齿 represents the meaning and 艮 represents the sound. Simplified form of 齦.
teeth
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 龈
Phonosemantic compound. 齿 represents the meaning and 艮 represents the sound. Simplified form of 齦.
- 1The meaning half齿 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half艮 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayteeth
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
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Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 龈
Identify the Components
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How to say gums in Chinese
“gums” in Chinese is龈
The character 龈 (kěn) refers specifically to the gums, the soft tissue surrounding the teeth in the mouth. It is often used in medical or dental contexts when discussing oral health, particularly the condition of the gums. This term can also be considered a variant of the character 啃 (kěn), which means to gnaw or nibble.
When to use 龈
Common mistakes include confusing 龈 with similar-sounding characters or using it in informal contexts where a more common term like 牙齦 (yágín) might be preferred. It’s important to use the formal term 龈 in medical discussions. Pay attention to the tone; the correct pronunciation is kěn with a third tone.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 龈 with 牙 (yá, tooth) and may mistakenly use it in places where a more general term for gums is appropriate. For example, saying 龈 to refer to gums in a casual setting might sound overly formal; instead, use 牙齦.
Write 龈
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Practice writing 龈 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 龈
龈 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
牙____萎缩可能是疾病导致的，也可能仅仅是错误的刷牙方式引起的。
Receding gums can be the result of disease or simply incorrect brushing.
Example Sentences for 龈 (4)
Word Family of 龈
Compound Meaning
What does 牙龈 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 龈
You pronounce it as 'kěn', using a third tone.
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