Meanings of 咀
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About 咀
Podcast: 咀
Podcast: 咀
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AI Study Notes for 咀
咀 (jǔ, to chew) vs 嚼 (jiáo, to chew thoroughly) — use 咀 for a more general act of chewing, while 嚼 emphasizes a thorough or prolonged chewing action.
Learners often confuse 咀 with similar-sounding characters. It's important to use it in contexts related to eating or tasting rather than in abstract discussions. Note that this term is generally informal, so it may not be appropriate for formal writing.
While 咀 is not included in the HSK word list, it can be beneficial for learners at HSK 3-4, especially those interested in food-related vocabulary. Focus on using it in sentences about meals or dining experiences to reinforce its meaning.
A common mistake is to confuse 咀 with 嚼 (jiáo), as both relate to chewing. For example, saying '我在嚼这个苹果' instead of '我在咀嚼这个苹果' is incorrect if you specifically want to emphasize the act of chewing gently.
Pronunciation of 咀
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Etymology of 咀
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 且 represents the sound.
mouth
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 咀
Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 且 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half口 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half且 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymouth
- 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 咀
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How to say to chew in Chinese
“to chew” in Chinese is咀
The character 咀 (jǔ) primarily means 'to chew' or 'to masticate.' It is often used in the context of eating or tasting food, emphasizing the act of breaking down substances in the mouth. This word can also imply the action of sucking or savoring something, often associated with enjoying flavors.
When to use 咀
Learners often confuse 咀 with similar-sounding characters. It's important to use it in contexts related to eating or tasting rather than in abstract discussions. Note that this term is generally informal, so it may not be appropriate for formal writing.
咀 or something close to it
咀 (jǔ, to chew) vs 嚼 (jiáo, to chew thoroughly) — use 咀 for a more general act of chewing, while 嚼 emphasizes a thorough or prolonged chewing action.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is to confuse 咀 with 嚼 (jiáo), as both relate to chewing. For example, saying '我在嚼这个苹果' instead of '我在咀嚼这个苹果' is incorrect if you specifically want to emphasize the act of chewing gently.
Write 咀
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Practice writing 咀 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 咀
咀 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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.
Complete the Sentence
充分____嚼食物，吃饭不要太快。
Chew your food well and do not rush meals.
Example Sentences for 咀 (2)
Word Family of 咀
Compound Meaning
What does 咀嚼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 咀
You can say, '我在咀嚼这个苹果' (Wǒ zài jǔjué zhège píngguǒ), meaning 'I am chewing this apple.'
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