충치
chungchi[t͡ɕʰuŋt͡ɕʰi]
The English phrase 'cavities' is translated into Korean as 충치 (chungchi).
The term 충치 is a noun used to refer to the condition of having a cavity or the cavity itself.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is chungchi.
Did you know?
- The term 충치 literally translates to 'worm tooth' because of the historical belief that tiny worms lived inside decaying teeth.
- While 충치 refers to the decay, Koreans use the phrase 이빨이 썩다 to describe the process of a tooth rotting, where 썩다 is the same word used for decaying organic matter or rotting food.
- In Korea, dental health is often discussed using the term 치아 for 'tooth' in medical contexts, but 이 is used in daily speech, creating a distinct gap between clinical and casual language regarding 충치.
Examples in context
- 치과 의사에게 충치가 있는지 확인 받으세요.Please consult a dentist to check for cavities.
- 충치가 생겼어요.I got a cavity.
- 충치가 생기지 않게 조심하세요.chung-chi-ga saeng-gi-ji an-ge jo-sim-ha-se-yo.Be careful not to get cavities.
- 충치 때문에 치과에 가야 해요.chung-chi tte-mun-e chi-gwa-e ga-ya hae-yo.I have to go to the dentist because of a cavity.
- 어린아이들은 충치가 잘 생겨요.eo-rin-a-i-deul-eun chung-chi-ga jal saeng-gyeo-yo.Young children get cavities easily.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are talking about dental health at a cafe.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 충치 있어요?Do-hyeon ssi, chung-chi iss-eo-yo?Dohyun, do you have a cavity?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 충치가 하나 있어요.Ne, chung-chi-ga ha-na iss-eo-yo.Yes, I have one cavity.
- 민지 Min-ji빨리 병원에 가 보세요.Ppal-li byeong-won-e ga bo-se-yo.You should go to the clinic quickly.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 내일 가려고요.Ne, nae-il ga-ryeo-go-yo.Yes, I am planning to go tomorrow.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 충치, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 충치, CC BY-SA 4.0.
