舌苔 (shétāi): tongue coating

Meanings

1 tongue coating
2 the fur on the tongue examined in traditional Chinese medicine

Characters

舌

tongue fur (also: moss)

Examples

中医师看了看我的舌苔说我有湿气。

Zhōngyīshī kàn le kàn wǒ de shétāi shuō wǒ yǒu shīqì.

The TCM doctor looked at my tongue coating and said I had dampness.

每天刷牙时记得刷舌苔。

Měitiān shuāyá shí jìde shuā shétāi.

Remember to brush your tongue coating when you brush your teeth.

Tips

culture

In 中医, tongue diagnosis 望舌 reads color and coating: white and thick = cold or damp, yellow = heat, greasy = phlegm. Doctors routinely ask patients to stick out the tongue.

Stroke Order

舌 shé

苔 tái

Related Words

舌钉 shédīng

tongue stud / tongue piercing

舌诊 shézhěn

tongue diagnosis (TCM) / diagnosis based on examining the tongue

舌头 shétou HSK 6 #3,235

ox tongue / beef tongue

口干舌燥 kǒugānshézào

mouth and tongue dry from talking too much / parched from speaking; talked dry

西施舌 xīshīshé

Coastal otter clam (Coelomactra antiquata) / 'Xishi's tongue' clam

舌尖 shéjiān #27,620

tip of the tongue / apical (in phonetics)

唇枪舌剑 chúnqiāngshéjiàn #41,887

lips like spears, tongue like swords (idiom) / to engage in a heated verbal exchange; to cross verbal swords

苔 tái #6,715

moss / lichen