歯
tooth, cog
Readings
On'yomi
- シ
Kun'yomi
- よわい
- は
- よわ.い
- よわい.する
Meaning
歯 centers on a tooth or something tooth-like: a cog or gear tooth that interlocks and drives motion.
Most common words using 歯
20 of 337- 歯はN5
tooth; teeth
- 歯科しかN1
dentistry
- 歯医者はいしゃN5
dentist
- 歯磨きはみがきN2
dental brushing; brushing one's teeth
- 歯ブラシはブラシN1
toothbrush
- 虫歯むしばN3
tooth decay; decayed tooth; dental cavity; dental caries
- 歯車はぐるまN2
gear; cogwheel
- 歯茎はぐき
gums; gingiva
- 歯止めはどめN1
brake; drag; skid; pawl
- 前歯まえば
front tooth; foretooth; incisor
- 入れ歯いればN1
false tooth; denture
- 歯磨き粉はみがきこ
tooth powder; toothpaste
- 奥歯おくば
back tooth; molar
- 羊歯しだ
fern (esp. species Gleichenia japonica); fernery
- 歯ごたえはごたえ
chewiness; firmness; feel of food while being chewed
- 歯並びはならび
row of teeth; set of teeth; dentition
- 臼歯きゅうし
molar (tooth); grinder; premolar
- 抜歯ばっし
tooth extraction
- 歯向かうはむかうN1
to strike back at; to bite back; to turn on; to rise against; to oppose; to defy
- 出っ歯でっぱ
protruding tooth; overbite; bucktooth
Study
Etymology
歯 is the modern simplified form of 齒. The older form is a pictograph of a mouth with teeth, later combined with 止 for sound. The modern form retains the 止 top and a simplified lower part representing teeth.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 止 looks like a row of teeth, and the lower part resembles a mouth with teeth inside. Picture a cog's teeth interlocking like a smile.
Reading mnemonic
For シ, imagine a toothy grin: she -> シ, and her teeth are perfectly aligned like cogs.