noun HSK 4
tongue
Meaning
舌 refers to the tongue, the muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting, swallowing, and speaking. In Chinese culture and medicine, the tongue is considered an important diagnostic tool, and the character appears in many idioms and expressions related to speech and taste.
Usage
Commonly used in medical contexts, anatomy discussions, and idioms about speech. Often appears in compound words related to speaking, languages, and oral functions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, tongue diagnosis (舌诊) is a standard practice.
Examples
- 01他咬了一下自己的舌头。.He bit his own tongue.
- 02中医会看病人的舌头来诊断疾病。.Traditional Chinese medicine doctors examine patients' tongues to diagnose illnesses.
Measure words
- 条一条舌头
Common collocations
- 舌头tongue (colloquial)
- 口舌quarrel, dispute (lit. mouth and tongue)
- 舌尖tip of the tongue
- 饶舌talkative, garrulous
Origin
The character 舌 is a pictographic character that depicts a tongue extending from a mouth. The upper part suggests the mouth opening, while the lower strokes represent the tongue itself.