How to Write 龆 (tiáo) — Meaning “shedding milk teeth; childhood”

Imagine a tooth (齿) being 'called' (召) by the tooth fairy, so the milk tooth falls out. This links the shape of the left part (tooth) with the action of the right part (call). Picture a child losing a baby tooth to remember 龆 means childhood and shedding milk teeth.

Write the left radical 齿 first: a vertical stroke, then a horizontal, then the inner structure (a small horizontal and two verticals). For the right part 召, write the top 'knife' (刀) then the mouth (口). A common mistake is making the left side too wide, so keep it narrow and balanced with the right side.

龆 has the right component 召, while 龃 has 且 (meaning uneven teeth) and 龄 has 令 (meaning age). In meaning, 龆 is about childhood teeth shedding, 龃 describes irregular teeth, and 龄 refers to age in general. Visually, look at the right side to tell them apart.

龆 is rare in everyday speech but appears in literary or formal phrases like 龆年 (tiáo nián, childhood) and 龆龀 (tiáo chèn, early childhood). It is often used in classical poetry or historical writings to describe a young age, especially when milk teeth are replaced. Culturally, it reflects the traditional focus on physical milestones in childhood.

Common words containing 龆 include: 龆年 (tiáo nián) — childhood; the age of shedding milk teeth; 龆龀 (tiáo chèn) — early childhood; the age when milk teeth are replaced; 龆发 (tiáo fā) — childhood; young age.