Meanings of 龌
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About 龌
Podcast: 龌
Podcast: 龌
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AI Study Notes for 龌
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.
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.
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).
Pronunciation of 龌
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Etymology of 龌
Phonosemantic compound. 齿 represents the meaning and 屋 represents the sound. Simplified form of 齷.
teeth
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 龌
Phonosemantic compound. 齿 represents the meaning and 屋 represents the sound. Simplified form of 齷.
- 1The meaning half齿 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half屋 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.
Want the full history of 龌? 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 龌
Identify the Components
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How to say narrow, small-minded; dirty (1) in Chinese
“narrow, small-minded; dirty (1)” in Chinese is龌
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.
When to use 龌
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.
What learners get wrong
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).
Write 龌
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Practice writing 龌 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
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)
Word Family of 龌
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.'
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