腋下
yèxià
The English phrase "armpit" translates to Chinese as 腋下 (yèxià). Wiktionary also lists 夾肢窩 / 夹肢窝 (gāzhiwō) and 腋窩 / 腋窝 (yèwō).
Meaning: the cavity beneath the junction of the arm and shoulder (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 腋下 | yèxià |
| 夾肢窩 / 夹肢窝 | gāzhiwō |
| 腋窩 / 腋窝 | yèwō |
The term refers to the cavity beneath the junction of the arm and shoulder.
Which one should you use?
While 腋下 refers to the area under the arm, 腋窝 specifically refers to the anatomical cavity or hollow of the armpit.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
腋下 is a formal term used to denote the armpit and is slightly more literary in tone. 腋窝 is a formal or medical term for the armpit cavity. 胳膊窝 is an informal way to refer to the armpit. 夹肢窝 is a highly colloquial or regional term and is much less common in standard Mandarin than 腋下 or 腋窝.
Is it said differently in some regions?
胳膊窝 is commonly used in northern China.
How do you pronounce it?
yèxià
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might find 夹肢窝 in dictionaries, but it is a highly colloquial or regional term and is much less common in standard Mandarin than 腋下 or 腋窝.
Did you know?
- The word 腋 is used in the term 腋下之臣 to describe a close and trusted aide who is so near they are 'under the armpit'.
- In Northern Chinese dialects, you might hear people use the word 窝 (wō), which literally means a 'nest' or 'hollow', to describe the armpit area.
- If you are reading a classical poem, you might see 腋 used in a way that refers to the armpit as a place of hidden or secret things.
Examples in context
- 请抬起你的左手，我需要检查你的腋窝。Please raise your left arm, I need to examine your armpit.
- 这个夏天好热啊，我的胳膊窝都出汗了。It's so hot this summer, my armpits are sweating.
- 他的腋下有很多汗。Tā de yèxià yǒu hěnduō hàn.He has a lot of sweat under his armpits.
- 我不小心弄脏了腋下。Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn nòngzāng le yèxià.I accidentally stained my armpit area.
- 她觉得腋下有点痒。Tā juéde yèxià yǒudiǎn yǎng.She feels a bit itchy under her armpits.
Example conversation
A young man is wearing a shirt that is wet with sweat.
- 梓涵 Zihan你的衣服腋下湿透了。Nǐ de yīfú yèxià shītòu le.Your clothes are soaked under the armpits.
- 浩然 Haoran刚才运动出汗了。Gāngcái yùndòng chūhàn le.I was sweating from exercising just now.
- 梓涵 Zihan浩然，你快去擦擦吧。Hàorán, nǐ kuài qù cā cā ba.Haoran, you should go wipe it off quickly.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，谢谢梓涵。Hǎo de, xièxiè Zǐhán.Okay, thanks Zihan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “armpit” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
