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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.
Frequency#8032DifficultyHard
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
—Strokes
—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
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
I don't think most nine-year-olds have their teeth brushed.
3
一回到自己的公寓，她就有一种想要刷牙的冲动。
yī huí dào zì jǐ de gōng yù， ， tā jiù yǒu yī zhǒng xiǎng yào shuā yá de chōng。
Once inside her apartment she felt an urge to brush her teeth.
4
布赖恩用水冲了把脸，然后刷牙。
bù lài ēn yòng shuǐ chōng le bǎ liǎn， ， rán hòu shuā。
Brian splashed water on his face, then brushed his teeth.
5
需刷牙以去除牙斑.
xū shuā yá yǐ qù chú yá bān.
It is necessary to remove plaque by brushing one's teeth.
Cultural Notes for 刷牙
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about 刷牙
You can say '我每天早上刷牙' (Wǒ měi tiān zǎoshang shuā yá) which means 'I brush my teeth every morning.'
刷牙 refers to brushing your teeth at home, while 洗牙 refers to professional teeth cleaning at a dental clinic.
Yes, 刷牙 is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, especially in discussions about health and hygiene.
