龈 (kěn) - Gums — the firm tissue that surrounds the & also refers to gnawing or biting.

龈Tone 3

kěn ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

懿嘤

龈 · kěn

Gums — the firm tissue that surrounds the teeth;

also refers to gnawing or biting.

Gums — the firm tissue that surrounds thealso refers to gnawing or biting.

Usage highlights

GumsGingivitisGum diseaseGum bleedingGum recessionGnawing

Synonyms

  • 牙床— gums (literally 'tooth bed')
  • 齿龈— gums (more formal term)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I have gum inflammation (牙龈炎).
  • The dentist checked my gums (牙龈).
  • Rats gnaw on wood (龈木头).
  • Proper oral hygiene protects the gums (牙龈).

Collocations

  • Gums(牙龈)
  • Gingivitis(牙龈炎)
  • Gum disease(牙龈病)
  • Gum bleeding(牙龈出血)
  • Gum recession(牙龈萎缩)
  • Gnawing(龈啮)

Idioms

  • To gnaw at the roots and chew the bark(龈根嚼皮)
  • To chew on something persistently(龈龈计较)
  • Gums and teeth相依(龈齿相依)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, gum health is connected to stomach and kidney energy.
  • The character appears in idioms describing persistent, nibbling actions.
  • Gum health is emphasized in Chinese oral hygiene practices dating back centuries.

FAQ