不齿

不齒

bùchǐ

verb #26,534

Meanings

1 to despise
2 to hold in contempt
3 to disdain

Characters

teeth / to be listed / to be counted among

Examples

HSK 7-9

这种背信弃义的行为令人不齿。

Zhèzhǒng bèixìn-qìyì de xíngwéi lìngrén bùchǐ.

This kind of treacherous behavior is held in contempt by all.

HSK 7-9

他为人所不齿，没有朋友。

Tā wéirén suǒ bùchǐ, méiyǒu péngyou.

He is despised by people and has no friends.

Tips

memory

不 (not) + 齿 (teeth/to list among). In classical Chinese, 齿 meant to be listed or counted among a group. 不齿 = not to be counted among decent people, hence despised or beneath contempt.

Stroke Order

不 bù

齿 chǐ