unknown, 17 strokes, radical 齿, rank #71192, Very Hard
wò(wo4) T4
1narrow, small-minded; dirty (1)
2dirty
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March 24, 2026
龌(齷)wò(wo4)
The character 龌 (wò) refers to something that is narrow or small-minded, often carrying a negative connotation of being dirty or unclean. It is primarily used in contexts that describe both physical narrowness and a lack of open-mindedness in thinking or behavior.
Strokes17Radical齿Frequency#71192DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being described as 龌 can reflect not just on cleanliness but also on moral character, suggesting that someone is not just physically dirty but also lacks integrity or is petty-minded.
Memory Tip
Imagine a narrow and dirty alleyway where nobody wants to walk. The character 龌 looks like a cramped space with a roof (the top part) and a dirty ground (the bottom part), which can help you remember that it signifies both smallness and dirtiness.
Meanings of 龌
wò(wo4)
1narrow, small-minded; dirty (1)
2dirty
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 龌
龌Simplified
齷Traditional
17Strokes
齿Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 龌
Podcast: 龌
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AI Study Notes for 龌
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a narrow and dirty alleyway where nobody wants to walk. The character 龌 looks like a cramped space with a roof (the top part) and a dirty ground (the bottom part), which can help you remember that it signifies both smallness and dirtiness.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 龌 with similar-sounding characters like 窄 (zhǎi), which also means narrow but without the negative connotations. The character is more commonly used in written Chinese rather than spoken, so pay attention to its formality when using it.
HSK Study Tips
Though 龌 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of negative descriptors. Focus on recognizing its usage in literary texts or formal writing, as this will help build your vocabulary around similar concepts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being described as 龌 can reflect not just on cleanliness but also on moral character, suggesting that someone is not just physically dirty but also lacks integrity or is petty-minded.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 龌 interchangeably with 窄 (zhǎi), which means narrow without the negative implications; for example, saying '这个地方很龌' when you mean '这个地方很窄' (This place is very narrow).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 龌
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Grammar Patterns of 龌
龌 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
这么多人都认为女权主义是个____龊的字眼。
So many people think feminism is a dirty word.
Example Sentences for 龌 (3)
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1
这么多人都认为女权主义是个龌龊的字眼。
zhè mó duō rén dū rèn wéi nǚ quán zhǔ yì shì gè wò chuò de zì yǎn。
So many people think feminism is a dirty word.
2
他们觉得自己仿佛做了什么龌龊丢脸之事。
tā mén jué dé zì jǐ fǎng fó zuò le shí mó wò chuò diū liǎn zhī shì。
They felt as though they had done something discreditable and unclean.
3
上帝跟宰猪这种龌龊事有什么关系.
shàng dì gēn zǎi zhū zhè zhǒng wò chuò shì yǒu shí mó guān xì.
What's God got to do with such a messy job as a pig - killing.
Cultural Notes for 龌
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being described as 龌 can reflect not just on cleanliness but also on moral character, suggesting that someone is not just physically dirty but also lacks integrity or is petty-minded.
Word Family of 龌
Words Containing This Character3
龌龊dirty齷齪
龌wòdirty齷
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 龌
You can say '他的心里很龌龌' (tā de xīn lǐ hěn wò wò), meaning 'He has a dirty mind.'
No, 龌 is more likely to be found in written texts or formal contexts rather than in daily spoken Chinese.
Yes, words like 肮脏 (āng zāng) can also mean dirty, but 龌 has the added nuance of being small-minded.
