Definition
换牙 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning the process of losing baby teeth and growing permanent teeth, which typically occurs in children around ages 6–12. It splits between 换 and 牙 when you add measure words, time expressions, or result complements: e.g., 换了一颗牙 ('lost one baby tooth') or 换完牙 ('finished growing permanent teeth'). You can't put an object after the whole word; the child who is teething comes before the verb (他换牙了 = 'he's losing his baby teeth').
v.o.
to lose baby teeth and grow permanent teeth (in children)
Examples
- 换牙。Háizi liù suì kāishǐ huàn yá.Children start to lose their baby teeth at age six.
- 。Tā shàng gè yuè huàn le yì kē yá.He lost one baby tooth last month.
- 换牙。Tā de huàn yá guòchéng hěn shùnlì.Her tooth-replacement process went smoothly.
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