齺 (zōu) - To grind teeth & to gnash

齺Tone 1

zōu ｜ 25 strokes ｜ radical:

志

齺 · zōu

To grind teeth;

to gnash;

to clench teeth tightly;

also refers to teeth being tightly closed or interlocked.

To grind teethto gnashto clench teeth tightly

Usage highlights

Grinding teethClenched teethTightly interlockedTeeth grindingJaw clenchingDental occlusion

Synonyms

  • 磨— to grind, to rub
  • 咬— to bite, to gnaw
  • 啮— to gnaw, to nibble

Antonyms

  • 松— to loosen, to relax
  • 开— to open

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He was grinding his teeth in anger (齺牙).
  • The gears were tightly interlocked (齺合).
  • She clenched her teeth during the dental procedure (齺紧牙齿).

Collocations

  • Grinding teeth(齺牙)
  • Clenched teeth(齺齿)
  • Tightly interlocked(齺合)
  • Teeth grinding(齺磨)
  • Jaw clenching(齺颌)
  • Dental occlusion(齺咬)

Idioms

  • Gnashing teeth in rage(咬牙切齿)
  • Biting the bullet(咬紧牙关)
  • Gritting one's teeth(紧咬牙关)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • This character appears in classical Chinese medical texts describing dental conditions and bruxism.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, teeth grinding is often associated with liver fire or internal heat.
  • The character is rarely used in modern vernacular but preserved in specialized contexts.

FAQ