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March 24, 2026
刷牙shuāyá(shua1ya2)
刷牙 (shua1 ya2) means 'to brush one's teeth.' It is a daily hygiene activity that is essential for maintaining oral health. Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, this phrase is frequently encountered in discussions about personal care routines.
Strokes12Frequency#8032DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, maintaining oral hygiene is increasingly emphasized, especially with the rising awareness of dental health. The phrase 刷牙 is often included in children's songs and educational materials to promote good habits from a young age.
Memory Tip
Imagine '刷' (shua) as a brush sweeping across your teeth, while '牙' (ya) resembles a tooth. Picture a giant toothbrush brushing away food particles and plaque, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation of this phrase.
Meanings of 刷牙
shuāyá(shua1ya2)
1to brush one's teeth
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About 刷牙
刷牙Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#8032Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 刷牙
Podcast: 刷牙
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AI Study Notes for 刷牙
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 刷牙 with other similar phrases like 洗牙 (xi3 ya2), which means 'to clean teeth professionally.' This phrase is informal and commonly used in everyday situations. Pay attention to the tones: shua1 (high level) and ya2 (rising), as incorrect tones can lead to confusion.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 刷牙 connects to other daily routine vocabulary such as 洗脸 (wash face) and 洗手 (wash hands). Students should practice using this word in sentences about their morning or evening routines to reinforce its usage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget the correct tones, saying 'shua ya' instead of 'shua1 ya2.' Additionally, some may confuse it with related phrases, such as saying '刷脸' (to brush face) instead of '刷牙.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 刷牙
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刷牙 (shua1 ya2) means 'to brush one's teeth.' It is a daily hygiene activity that is essential for maintaining oral health. Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, this phrase is frequently encountered in discussions about personal care routines.
When to use 刷牙
Be careful not to confuse 刷牙 with other similar phrases like 洗牙 (xi3 ya2), which means 'to clean teeth professionally.' This phrase is informal and commonly used in everyday situations. Pay attention to the tones: shua1 (high level) and ya2 (rising), as incorrect tones can lead to confusion.
What learners get wrong
Learners often forget the correct tones, saying 'shua ya' instead of 'shua1 ya2.' Additionally, some may confuse it with related phrases, such as saying '刷脸' (to brush face) instead of '刷牙.'
Write 刷牙
刷
牙
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Grammar Patterns of 刷牙
刷牙 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. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
