Explore 歯 in everyday words about teeth and dental care. Learn each reading with its whole word.
The idea
歯 has 12 strokes. On its own it is read は; in compounds it often has the reading し, as in 歯科（しか）. Follow the linked stroke diagram.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 歯 | は | tooth |
| 歯医者 | はいしゃ | dentist |
| 歯科 | しか | dentistry |
| 歯ブラシ | はブラシ | toothbrush |
Examples
- 毎朝歯を磨きます。I brush my teeth every morning.
- 歯が痛いです。My tooth hurts.
- 明日歯医者に行きます。I am going to the dentist tomorrow.
- この病院には歯科があります。There is a dental department at this hospital.
- 子どもの歯がぐらぐらしています。The child has a loose tooth.
- 新しい歯ブラシを買いました。I bought a new toothbrush.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not read every 歯 as は: 歯医者 is はいしゃ, while 歯科 is しか. Learn the readings of complete words.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 歯 in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
は
歯 is read は when it means a tooth on its own.
Write the reading of 歯医者 in hiragana.
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はいしゃ
歯医者 is read はいしゃ: the first character keeps the reading は.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿科（しか）［歯／止］.
Show answer or example answer
歯
歯 completes 歯科（しか）, meaning dentistry or a dental department.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 歯 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 歯医者 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿科（しか）［歯／止］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 歯 following the stroke diagram, then cover the table and read 歯医者 and 歯科 aloud. Make a sentence with one.