Meanings of 颚
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About 颚
Podcast: 颚
Podcast: 颚
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AI Study Notes for 颚
Be careful with the tone: 颚 is pronounced with a falling tone (è), which is different from similar-sounding characters. It is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as medical terminology, rather than in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 颚骨 (jawbone) and 上颚 (upper jaw).
Although 颚 is not included in HSK levels, understanding it can enhance your vocabulary related to anatomical terms. Focus on other related words such as 口 (mouth) and 齿 (teeth) to build a more comprehensive understanding of oral anatomy in Mandarin.
Learners often confuse 颚 (è) with 口 (kǒu), which means 'mouth.' For instance, saying '我有一个大口' (I have a big mouth) instead of '我有一个大颚' (I have a big jaw) fails to convey the correct anatomical reference.
Pronunciation of 颚
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Etymology of 颚
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Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 颚
- 1The meaning half页 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half咢 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayhead
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 颚? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 颚
Identify the Components
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How to say jaw in Chinese
“jaw” in Chinese is颚
The character 颚 (è) refers to the jaw or palate in both anatomical and culinary contexts. It can describe the lower or upper jaw in humans and animals, and is often used in medical or biological discussions regarding oral structures.
When to use 颚
Be careful with the tone: 颚 is pronounced with a falling tone (è), which is different from similar-sounding characters. It is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as medical terminology, rather than in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 颚骨 (jawbone) and 上颚 (upper jaw).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 颚 (è) with 口 (kǒu), which means 'mouth.' For instance, saying '我有一个大口' (I have a big mouth) instead of '我有一个大颚' (I have a big jaw) fails to convey the correct anatomical reference.
Write 颚
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Practice writing 颚 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 颚
颚 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.
Complete the Sentence
别格的牙关咬得那么紧,连上下____都疼了.
Bigger's teeth clamped so tight that his jaws ached.
Example Sentences for 颚 (2)
Word Family of 颚
Compound Meaning
What does 下颚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 颚
颚 specifically refers to the jaw or palate, while 口 simply means 'mouth.'
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