牙套
yátào
In Chinese, 'braces' is translated as 牙套 (yátào). Wiktionary also lists 牙齒矯正器 / 牙齿矫正器 (yáchǐ jiǎozhèngqì).
Meaning: device for straightening teeth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 牙套 | yátào |
| 牙齒矯正器 / 牙齿矫正器 | yáchǐ jiǎozhèngqì |
The term is used to refer to the device used for straightening teeth. To say that someone is 'wearing braces', use the verb 戴 (dài) with the noun.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 牙套 is composed of 牙 (yá) meaning 'tooth' and 套 (tào) meaning 'cover', 'sleeve' or 'case'.
Which one should you use?
牙齿矫正器 (or its variant 牙齒矯正器) is the formal, medical term for an 'orthodontic appliance'.
How do you pronounce it?
yátào
What mistakes should you avoid?
When describing the act of wearing braces, do not use the verbs 穿 (chuān) or 用 (yòng). Instead, use 戴 (dài).
Did you know?
- In some colloquial contexts, people may refer to the process of getting braces as 箍牙 (gū yá), where 箍 (gū) means to bind or hoop something tightly, like a barrel.
- In some regions, people colloquially refer to braces as 铁牙 (tiě yá), which literally translates to 'iron teeth'.
- The character 套 (tào) in 牙套 describes things that slip over or enclose something, which is why the same word is used for a 'phone case' 手机套.
Examples in context
- 我需要戴牙套I need to wear braces.
- 她正在戴牙套She is currently wearing braces.
- 牙套需要多久时间？How long will the braces be needed?
- 他的牙套很贵。Tā de yátào hěn guì.His braces are very expensive.
- 我要去换牙套。Wǒ yào qù huàn yátào.I need to go change my braces.
- 戴牙套很不舒服。Dài yátào hěn bù shūfu.Wearing braces is very uncomfortable.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about dental appointments at a cafe.
- 浩然 Haoran你最近在忙什么？Nǐ zuìjìn zài máng shénme?What have you been busy with lately?
- 雨婷 Yuting我在弄牙套。Wǒ zài nòng yátào.I am dealing with my braces.
- 浩然 Haoran雨婷，戴牙套很痛吗？Yǔtíng, dài yátào hěn tòng ma?Yuting, are the braces very painful?
- 雨婷 Yuting有一点点痛。Yǒu yī diǎndiǎn tòng.It is a little bit painful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “braces” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
