龊 meaning and stroke order
Narrow, small-minded; dirty (2)
How to write 龊, stroke by stroke
15 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 龊
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- used in 齷齪|龌龊[wo4 chuo4]
How 龊 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Teeth.
足 gives the meaning and 齿 hints at the sound.
Radical: 齿 (teeth), shared by 12 characters on this site.
How to remember 龊
龊 puts 齿 (chǐ, teeth) next to 足 (zú, foot). Picture someone with dirty teeth and dirty feet, and you have the idea of something filthy or petty.
龊 never appears alone in modern Chinese. It only shows up in the word 龌龊 (wòchuò), which can mean physically dirty but is more often used for vile, mean-spirited behavior. Example: 他的想法很龌龊。(Tā de xiǎngfǎ hěn wòchuò.) His way of thinking is really despicable.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 龊 (chuò) and 龌 (wò) because both have 齿 on the left. Remember that 龊 has 足 on the right and comes second in 龌龊. Also note that 龊 takes the fourth tone, not the first.
Common words with 龊
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 龌龊 | wòchuò | dirty; filthy; vile; despicable |
Questions about 龊
How many strokes are in 龊?
龊 is written with 15 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 龊 mean?
龊 (chuò) means narrow, small-minded; dirty (2). A common word with it is 龌龊 (wòchuò), meaning "dirty; filthy; vile; despicable".
How do you pronounce 龊?
龊 is pronounced chuò, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 龊?
The radical of 龊 is 齿, which carries the idea of "teeth". Dictionaries list 龊 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 龊?
The traditional form of 龊 is 齪. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 龊 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Can I use 龊 by itself to mean dirty?
No. 龊 is a bound character that only lives inside 龌龊. To say something is dirty on its own, use a word like 脏 (zāng).
Is 龌龊 a strong word?
Yes. When used about people or behavior, it is a harsh insult suggesting someone is sleazy, petty or morally low. It is stronger than simply calling something dirty, so use it with care.