The Va people (an ethnic group in Myanmar and southwest China)
nz, 6 strokes, radical 亻
佤
wǎ
Wa, Kawa or Va ethnic group of Myanmar, south China and southeast Asia
unknown, 6 strokes, radical 亻
wǎ(wa3) T3
1The Va people (an ethnic group in Myanmar and southwest China)
2Wa, Kawa or Va ethnic group of Myanmar, south China and southeast Asia
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March 24, 2026
佤wǎ(wa3)
The character 佤 (wǎ) refers to the Va people, an ethnic group primarily found in Myanmar and parts of southwest China. This term is often used in discussions about ethnic diversity in the region, their culture, and language. Understanding this term can provide insights into the social fabric of areas where the Va people reside.
Strokes6Radical亻
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the recognition of various ethnic groups, such as the Va people, highlights the country's rich tapestry of cultures. The Va have unique customs, traditional clothing, and festivals that contribute to the cultural diversity of the regions they inhabit.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 佤 (wǎ) like a 'Wa' in a 'vast' landscape. The left side, 亻, represents a person, while the right side, 哇, can be imagined as someone calling out or expressing their identity. Picture a Va person proudly declaring their heritage in a beautiful, expansive landscape.
Meanings of 佤
wǎ(wa3)
1The Va people (an ethnic group in Myanmar and southwest China)
2Wa, Kawa or Va ethnic group of Myanmar, south China and southeast Asia
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 佤
佤Simplified
6Strokes
亻Radical
其它专名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 佤
Podcast: 佤
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AI Study Notes for 佤
Usage Notes
It's important to use 佤 in contexts related to ethnicity or cultural discussions, as it may not be appropriate in casual conversations. Common mistakes include confusing it with other ethnic terms; ensure you’re referring specifically to the Va people. Pay attention to the tone (third tone), as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 佤 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to discussions about ethnic groups, which is relevant for higher-level learners. Focus on understanding its cultural significance and how it fits into the broader context of ethnic diversity in China and Southeast Asia.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 佤 with other ethnic names, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '佤族' (Wa ethnic group) is correct, while referring to it simply as '佤' without context might lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 佤
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2The sound half瓦 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaypeople
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
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Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 佤?
Decomposition of 佤
IDS Structure⿰亻瓦
佤Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
瓦wa3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 佤?
How to say The Va people (an ethnic group in Myanmar and southwest China) in Chinese
“The Va people (an ethnic group in Myanmar and southwest China)” in Chinese is佤wǎ
The character 佤 (wǎ) refers to the Va people, an ethnic group primarily found in Myanmar and parts of southwest China. This term is often used in discussions about ethnic diversity in the region, their culture, and language. Understanding this term can provide insights into the social fabric of areas where the Va people reside.
When to use 佤
It's important to use 佤 in contexts related to ethnicity or cultural discussions, as it may not be appropriate in casual conversations. Common mistakes include confusing it with other ethnic terms; ensure you’re referring specifically to the Va people. Pay attention to the tone (third tone), as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 佤 with other ethnic names, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '佤族' (Wa ethnic group) is correct, while referring to it simply as '佤' without context might lead to confusion.
Write 佤
佤
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Practice writing 佤 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Word Family of 佤
Words Containing This Character7
佤wǎWa, Kawa or Va ethnic group of Myanmar, south China and southeast Asia
佤族Wa, Kawa or Va ethnic group of Myanmar, south China and southeast Asia
沧源佤族自治县Cangyuan Va Autonomous County in Lincang 臨滄|临沧[Líncāng], Yunnan滄源佤族自治縣
西盟佤族自治县Ximeng Va Autonomous County in Pu'er 普洱[Pǔ'ěr], Yunnan西盟佤族自治縣
孟连傣族拉祜族佤族自治县Menglian Dai, Lahu and Va autonomous county in Pu'er 普洱[Pǔ'ěr], Yunnan孟連傣族拉祜族佤族自治縣
佧佤族Wa, Kawa or Va ethnic group of Myanmar, south China and southeast Asia
双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县Shuangjiang Lahu, Va, Blang and Dai autonomous county in Lincang 臨滄|临沧[Líncāng], Yunnan雙江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 佤 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 佤
It refers to the Va people, an ethnic group primarily found in Myanmar and parts of southwest China.
No, it's more often used in academic or cultural discussions related to ethnic groups.
It is pronounced with a third tone, like 'wǎ'.
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