顎 (è) - jaw & palate

顎Tone 4

è ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

顎 · è

jaw;

palate;

the anatomical structure forming the framework of the mouth.

jawpalatethe anatomical structure forming the framework of the

Usage highlights

JawboneUpper jaw/palateLower jawMandibleHard palateSoft palate

Synonyms

  • 頜— jaw (more common medical term)
  • 下巴— chin/lower jaw (colloquial)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He has a strong jawline (顎骨).
  • The upper palate is important for speech (上顎).
  • The snake unhinged its jaw (下顎).

Collocations

  • Jawbone(顎骨)
  • Upper jaw/palate(上顎)
  • Lower jaw(下顎)
  • Mandible(下顎骨)
  • Hard palate(硬顎)
  • Soft palate(軟顎)

Idioms

  • Grit one's teeth(咬牙切齒 - uses 齒, not 顎, but related concept)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Primarily a scientific/medical term in modern Chinese, referring to jaw and palate anatomy.
  • Used in zoology and paleontology to describe jaw structures of animals.
  • Less common in classical literature or philosophical contexts compared to other body part characters.

FAQ