Hai Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Tooth (chǐ) He Kangxi strokes: 18 Page 1532, Entry 18 Pronounced he. According to the Explanations of Graphs and Analysis of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it means to bite or gnaw. From the Book of Rites (Liji), record of ceremonial duties: Commoners gnaw on peeled melons. The commentary states this means not cutting them across. From the History of the Former Han (Qian Hanshu), biography of Tian Dan: Once the Qin attained their ambitions in the world, they began to bite and gnaw at the graves of those in power. The commentary states that to bite and gnaw is synonymous with nibbling. Also, Hu He is a person's name. Pronounced hu. Pronounced xie. Pronounced ge. The meaning is the same.