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March 24, 2026
牙齿(牙齒)yáchǐ(ya2chi3)
牙齿 (yáchǐ) refers to the hard, calcified structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing food. It is commonly used in both everyday conversation and dental contexts, such as discussing oral hygiene or dental health.
Frequency#2527DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dental health is often emphasized, and traditional beliefs may connect teeth with vitality and health. For example, maintaining good oral hygiene is seen as a reflection of one's overall health.
Memory Tip
Imagine '牙' (tooth) as a smiling mouth with sharp teeth, while '齿' resembles two teeth clashing together. Think of 'ya' as the sound of a dentist saying 'Ah!' when you open your mouth to show your teeth.
Meanings of 牙齿
yáchǐ(ya2chi3)
1tooth
2dental
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 牙齿
牙齿Simplified
牙齒Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2527Frequency Rank
颗Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 牙齿
Podcast: 牙齿
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AI Study Notes for 牙齿
Quick Contrast
牙 (tooth) vs 齿 (tooth, archaic/formal) — use 牙齿 for everyday contexts, while 齿 is more formal or literary.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine '牙' (tooth) as a smiling mouth with sharp teeth, while '齿' resembles two teeth clashing together. Think of 'ya' as the sound of a dentist saying 'Ah!' when you open your mouth to show your teeth.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 牙齿 with other body parts; remember that it specifically refers to teeth. It is used in both formal and informal settings, often seen in phrases about dental care. Pay attention to the tones: 牙 (ya2) is second tone and 齿 (chi3) is third tone.
HSK Study Tips
As a HSK Level 5 word, 牙齿 connects to other health-related vocabulary at this level. Focus on using it in sentences about health or describing symptoms related to teeth.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dental health is often emphasized, and traditional beliefs may connect teeth with vitality and health. For example, maintaining good oral hygiene is seen as a reflection of one's overall health.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 牙齿 with 牙 (tooth) and use it incorrectly in singular or plural forms. For example, saying '我有很多牙' (wǒ yǒu hěn duō yá) is incorrect; it should be '我有很多牙齿' (wǒ yǒu hěn duō yáchǐ).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 牙齿
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Grammar Patterns of 牙齿
牙齿 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 3 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 4
Complete the Sentence
它猛地朝我的脚脖子咬下去，____还咔咔直响。
His teeth clicked as he snapped at my ankle.
Example Sentences for 牙齿 (10)
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1
它猛地朝我的脚脖子咬下去，牙齿还咔咔直响。
tā měng dì zhāo wǒ de jiǎo bó zǐ yǎo xià qù， ， yá chǐ huán kǎ kǎ zhí。
His teeth clicked as he snapped at my ankle.
2
牙医开始在那颗有问题的牙齿上挖洞，钻孔，直到最后把它补好。
yá yī kāi shǐ zài nà kē yǒu wèn tí de yá chǐ shàng wā dòng， ， zuān， kǒng ， zhí dào zuì hòu bǎ tā。
The dentist commenced to dig, drill and finally fill the offending tooth.
3
牙齿和牙龈之间会滋生牙斑。
yá chǐ hé yá yín zhī jiān huì zī shēng yá bān。
Deposits of plaque build up between the tooth and the gum.
4
莫妮卡拿起她的伯罗圆珠笔，放在牙齿间转动着。
mò nī kǎ ná qǐ tā de bó luó yuán zhū bǐ， ， fàng zài yá chǐ jiān zhuǎn dòng。
Monica picked up her Biro and revolved it between her teeth.
5
牙斑如果不清除就会导致牙齿蛀蚀和牙龈疾病。
yá bān rú guǒ bù qīng chú jiù huì dǎo zhì yá chǐ zhù shí hé yá yín jí bìng。
When not removed, plaque causes tooth decay and gum disease.
6
那只熊龇出牙齿，发出一声低沉的吼叫。
nà zhī xióng zī chū yá chǐ， ， fā chū yī shēng dī chén de hǒu。
The bear exposed its teeth in a muffled growl.
7
那个军官咧开嘴，露出洁白整齐的牙齿。
nà gè jūn guān liě kāi zuǐ， ， lòu chū jié bái zhěng qí de yá。
The officer's mouth opened, showing white, even teeth.
8
你哪一颗牙齿痛?
nǐ nǎ yī kē yá chǐ tòng?
Which tooth pains you?
9
当牙齿被拔掉时,他痛得大叫.
dāng yá chǐ bèi bá diào shí, , tā tòng dé dà.
He bellowed with pain when the tooth was pulled out.
10
我在牙医那里拿了一本关于牙齿保健的免费小册子.
wǒ zài yá yī nà lǐ ná le yī běn guān yú yá chǐ bǎo jiàn de miǎn fèi xiǎo cè zǐ.
I picked up a free booklet on tooth care at the dentist's.
Cultural Notes for 牙齿
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, dental health is often emphasized, and traditional beliefs may connect teeth with vitality and health. For example, maintaining good oral hygiene is seen as a reflection of one's overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions about 牙齿
Toothache is '牙痛' (yá tòng).
'露牙齿' (lù yá chǐ) means to smile or show one's teeth, often used to describe someone being friendly.
Yes, baby teeth are called '乳牙' (rǔ yá) and adult teeth are '恒牙' (héng yá).
