HSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 牙, rank #2057, Medium
牙
yá
ivory
HSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 牙, rank #2057, Medium
牙
yá
tooth, molar; fang, tusk; serrated
HSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 牙, rank #2057, Medium
yá(ya2) T2
1tooth
2ivory
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March 24, 2026
牙yá(ya2)
The character 牙 (yá) refers to a tooth or teeth, commonly used in both singular and plural forms. It can also denote ivory and is used in various contexts related to dental health, animals (like tusks), and objects with serrated edges.
Strokes4Radical牙Frequency#2057DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, dental health is emphasized, and traditional beliefs often link strong teeth to overall health. This character can also be seen in various idiomatic expressions related to strength and resilience.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant tooth (牙) that looks like a sharp mountain peak, reminding you of its role in biting and chewing. The pronunciation 'yá' sounds like 'ya', which you might say while showing off a big bright smile, emphasizing your teeth.
Meanings of 牙
yá(ya2)
1tooth
2ivory
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 牙
牙Simplified
4Strokes
牙Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2057Frequency Rank
颗Measure Word
HSK 3.0L3IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 牙
Podcast: 牙
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AI Study Notes for 牙
Quick Contrast
牙 (tooth) vs 齿 (tooth, more formal or literary) — use 牙 for everyday contexts, while 齿 is often found in formal writing or specific terminologies.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 牙 with other similar-sounding words. It’s important to remember it specifically refers to teeth or ivory. Common collocations include 牙痛 (yátòng - toothache) and 牙刷 (yáshuā - toothbrush).
HSK Study Tips
Although 牙 is not explicitly listed in the HSK levels, it connects well with vocabulary related to health and body parts. Students should focus on its use in everyday conversations about dental care and health.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 牙 with the character 牙齿 (yáchǐ - teeth), thinking they are interchangeable. Remember that 牙 can refer to a single tooth, while 牙齿 refers to multiple teeth.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 牙
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 牙?
How to say tooth in Chinese
“tooth” in Chinese is牙yá
The character 牙 (yá) refers to a tooth or teeth, commonly used in both singular and plural forms. It can also denote ivory and is used in various contexts related to dental health, animals (like tusks), and objects with serrated edges.
When to use 牙
Learners often confuse 牙 with other similar-sounding words. It’s important to remember it specifically refers to teeth or ivory. Common collocations include 牙痛 (yátòng - toothache) and 牙刷 (yáshuā - toothbrush).
牙 or something close to it
牙 (tooth) vs 齿 (tooth, more formal or literary) — use 牙 for everyday contexts, while 齿 is often found in formal writing or specific terminologies.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 牙 with the character 牙齿 (yáchǐ - teeth), thinking they are interchangeable. Remember that 牙 can refer to a single tooth, while 牙齿 refers to multiple teeth.
Write 牙
牙
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Practice writing 牙 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 牙
牙 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 3 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.
砑ya4to polish, to grind; to roll with a stone roller
秭zi3billion
笫zi3bed boards, sleeping mat
胏
迓ya4to receive a guest
冴
厊
岈ya2the name of a mountain
庌
柹
牬
犽
疨
笌
衺
谺
趀
釾
閕
颬
鴉ya1crow; Corvus species (various)
齖
Words Containing This Character20
牙yátooth
西班牙Spain
牙齿yáchǐtooth牙齒
西班牙语xībānyáyǔSpanish language西班牙語
牙医dentist牙醫
葡萄牙Portugal
牙膏yágāotoothpaste
刷牙shuāyáto brush one's teeth
匈牙利Hungary
牙刷yáshuātoothbrush
咬牙gnaw
牙买加Jamaica牙買加
象牙ivory
假牙false teeth
葡萄牙语Portuguese (language)葡萄牙語
牙签toothpick牙籤
牙科dentistry
牙龈gums牙齦
以牙还牙a tooth for a tooth (retaliation)以牙還牙
老掉牙very old
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 穿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 牙
The measure word used with 牙 is 顆 (kē), which is typically used for small round objects. So you would say '一顆牙' (yī kē yá) to mean 'one tooth.'
牙 is pronounced as 'yá' in Mandarin. The 'y' sound is similar to the English 'y' in 'yes,' and the 'á' has a rising tone.
牙 (yá) means 'tooth' in Chinese. It can also refer to 'ivory'. This character is used in various contexts related to teeth and dental health.
You can use 牙 in sentences such as '我的牙疼' (Wǒ de yá téng) which means 'My tooth hurts.' It can also be used in phrases like '刷牙' (shuā yá), meaning 'to brush teeth.'
The radical is 牙 itself, which is a phonetic and semantic component related to teeth.
Yes, 牙 can also refer to ivory and objects that have a serrated edge.
Toothache is expressed as 牙痛 (yátòng) in Mandarin.
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