tooth decay

Phonosemantic compound. 齿 represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Components
齿 meaning component

齿  Meaning component

chǐ

  

teeth

禹 sound component

  Sound component

  

insect; proper name

Evolution

龋 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
龋 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
龋 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
龋 Traditional script Modern

Traditional script

Modern
龋 Simplified script Modern

Simplified script

Modern
Definitions

() 

tooth decay; decayed teeth; dental caries

Most common words with 龋
Freq.
Word
Meaning

龋齿

tooth decay

decayed teeth

防龋

anti-caries

龋齿性

caries-inducing