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March 24, 2026
丫yā(ya1)
The character 丫 (yā) primarily means 'forked' or 'branching,' often used to describe something that splits into two parts. It can also refer to a girl in a casual context, particularly in southern dialects. This character is commonly used in words related to division or branching structures.
Strokes3Radical丨Frequency#8591DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In some regions of China, especially in the south, the term 丫 is affectionately used to refer to young girls, reflecting a more informal and endearing way of addressing women in daily life. This usage highlights the cultural nuances of language in different regions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fork in the road resembling the character 丫, with its two arms reaching out in different directions. The 'fork' represents the splitting of paths, helping you remember that it means 'bifurcation' or 'branch.' The pronunciation 'yā' sounds like 'ya' in 'yarn,' which can be linked to storytelling about choices.
Meanings of 丫
yā(ya1)
1forked; bifurcation
2fork
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 丫
丫Simplified
3Strokes
丨Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 丫
Podcast: 丫
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AI Study Notes for 丫
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a fork in the road resembling the character 丫, with its two arms reaching out in different directions. The 'fork' represents the splitting of paths, helping you remember that it means 'bifurcation' or 'branch.' The pronunciation 'yā' sounds like 'ya' in 'yarn,' which can be linked to storytelling about choices.
Usage Notes
丫 is often used in informal contexts, especially in southern Chinese dialects, to refer to a girl. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with more formal terms for girls or women like 女孩 (nǚhái) or 女人 (nǚrén). Additionally, it is important to use the correct tone, as 'yā' with the first tone has a distinct meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although not officially listed in HSK levels, understanding 丫 can enhance comprehension of expressions involving bifurcation or division. Students should connect this character with other words that imply splitting or duality, such as 分 (fēn) which means 'to divide.'
Cultural Note
In some regions of China, especially in the south, the term 丫 is affectionately used to refer to young girls, reflecting a more informal and endearing way of addressing women in daily life. This usage highlights the cultural nuances of language in different regions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 丫 with other characters that denote girls, like 女孩 (nǚhái). Additionally, they might mistakenly use it in formal contexts, which can sound awkward. Always ensure the context is informal when using 丫 for 'girl.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 丫
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Grammar Patterns of 丫
丫 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
" Who said it wasn't , brat? " Madam sounded angry.
7
不要向我伸舌头, 你这个没规矩的丫头!
bù yào xiàng wǒ shēn shé tóu, , nǐ zhè gè méi guī jǔ de yā!
Don't put out your tongue at me, you cheeky girl!
Cultural Notes for 丫
🏮Cultural insight
In some regions of China, especially in the south, the term 丫 is affectionately used to refer to young girls, reflecting a more informal and endearing way of addressing women in daily life. This usage highlights the cultural nuances of language in different regions.
Word Family of 丫
Words Containing This Character9
丫yāfork
丫头yātougirl丫頭
脚丫子(coll.) foot腳丫子
丫鬟maid
黄毛丫头silly little girl黃毛丫頭
丫头片子(coll.) silly girl丫頭片子
枝丫branch
丫髻topknot
丫杈fork (of a tree)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 丫 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 丫
丫 means 'forked' or 'branching,' and can also refer to a girl in informal contexts.
It can be used to describe things that are split or bifurcated, such as a fork in the road.
丫 is considered informal, particularly when used to refer to a girl.
