歯

• Reading: は
• Romaji: ha
• Kanji breakdown: 歯 (shi/ha) — tooth, teeth
• Pronunciation: /ha/

Meaning

Tooth; teeth. Essential for eating and oral health.

Refers to teeth in general. Common in compounds such as 歯医者 (dentist), 歯ブラシ (toothbrush), and 歯磨き (tooth brushing). Also used in the idiom 歯が立たない (to be no match for someone, literally 'teeth cannot stand against it').

Examples

1. 毎日三回歯を磨きます。 I brush my teeth three times every day.
2. 甘いものを食べすぎると歯が悪くなる。 If you eat too many sweets, your teeth will go bad.
3. 子供の歯が抜けました。 My child's tooth fell out.

Usage Guide

Context: health, dentist, daily routine

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 歯 depicts teeth arranged in a row under the止 (stop) component, symbolising the biting action.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal