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牙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
牙yátoothHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 牙, rank #2057, Medium
牙yáivoryHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 牙, rank #2057, Medium
牙yátooth, molar; fang, tusk; serratedHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 牙, rank #2057, Medium
yá(ya2)ya T2
  1. 1tooth
  2. 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

By ear

Play it, then pick what 牙 means.

About 牙

牙Simplified
4Strokes
牙Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2057Frequency Rank
颗Measure Word
HSK 3.0L3IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 牙

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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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Etymology of 牙

Explanation

Pictograph of teeth.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character 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

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.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

它猛地朝我的脚脖子咬下去，____齿还咔咔直响。

His teeth clicked as he snapped at my ankle.

Common confusions with 牙

牙vs伽
jiā

Similar sound but different meaning and usage.

牙vs压
yā

Different meanings; '牙' relates to teeth, while '压' means to press.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “tooth”?

or

Example sentences for 牙 (14)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
它猛地朝我的脚脖子咬下去，牙齿还咔咔直响。

tā měng dì cháo wǒ de jiǎo bózi yǎo xiàqù， yáchǐ hái kā kā zhí xiǎng。

His teeth clicked as he snapped at my ankle.
2
把你的眉毛修剪成越往外眼角越细的月牙形。

bǎ nǐ de méimao xiū jiǎn chéng yuè wǎng wài yǎn jiǎo yuè xì de yuè yá xíng。

Taper the shape of your eyebrows towards the outer corners.
3
他们最终的目标是为匈牙利建立起市场经济体制。

tāmen zuìzhōng de mùbiāo shì wèi xiōng yá lì jiànlì qǐ shìchǎngjīngjì tǐzhì。

Their ultimate aim was a market economy for Hungary.
4
牙龈萎缩可能是疾病导致的，也可能仅仅是错误的刷牙方式引起的。

yá kěn wěisuō kěnéng shì jíbìng dǎozhì de， yě kěnéng jǐnjǐn shì cuòwù de shuāyá fāngshì yǐnqǐ de。

Receding gums can be the result of disease or simply incorrect brushing.
5
西班牙的当务之急是签署《欧洲经济和货币联盟条约》。

xī bān yá de dāngwùzhījí shì qiānshǔ《 ōuzhōu jīngjì hé huòbì liánméng tiáoyuē》。

Spain's top priority is the signing of an EMU treaty.
6
西班牙一直是古巴的主要贸易伙伴之一。

xī bān yá yìzhí shì gǔ Bā de zhǔyào màoyì huǒbàn zhīyī。

Spain has been one of Cuba's major trading partners.
7
他在西班牙海岸附近的一次海难中溺水身亡。

tā zài xī bān yá hǎi’àn fùjìn de yī cì hǎi nán zhōng nìshuǐ shēn wáng。

He was drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Spain.
8
费利佩·冈萨雷斯在西班牙选举中获得第4次连任。

fèi lì pèi· gāng sà léi Sī zài xī bān yá xuǎnjǔ zhōng huòdé dì4 cì liánrèn。

Felipe Gonzalez won a fourth term of office in Spain's election.
9
西班牙媒体昨天仍然在攻击英国媒体。

xī bān yá méitǐ zuótiān réngrán zài gōngjī Yīng guó méitǐ。

The Spanish media were still sniping at the British press yesterday.
10
将牙线在齿间来回拉动。

jiāng yá xiàn zài chǐ jiān láihuí lā dòng。

Draw the floss backwards and forwards between the teeth.
11
我昨天去看牙医，因为我的牙疼。

Wǒ zuótiān qù kàn yáyī, yīnwèi wǒ de yá téng.

I went to the dentist yesterday because my tooth hurt.
12
他有一颗牙掉了，需要去补牙。

Tā yǒu yī kē yá diào le, xūyào qù bǔ yá.

He lost a tooth and needs to get it filled.
13
小孩子通常六岁左右开始换牙。

Xiǎoháizi tōngcháng liù suì zuǒyòu kāishǐ huàn yá.

Children usually start losing their baby teeth around six years old.
14
每天刷牙两次可以保护牙齿。

Měitiān shuā yá liǎng cì kěyǐ bǎohù yáchǐ.

Brushing your teeth twice a day can protect them.

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Cultural Notes for 牙

💡Did you know?

In Chinese culture, strong teeth symbolize good luck and health. A common saying is '牙好，身体好', meaning 'Good teeth, good health'.

Word Family of 牙

Compounds37
穿chuānto bore through
呀ya(particle equivalent to 啊 after a vowel, expressing surprise or doubt)
雅yǎelegant
邪xiéwrong, evil, demonic; perverse, depraved, heterodox
讶yàastounded
鸦yācrow
芽yábud
姊zǐelder sister
蚜yáaphid, plant louse
訝yàamazed, surprised; to express surprise
伢yáchild
枒yācoconut tree; edge, rim
泲jǐ
牚chēngvariant of 撐|撑[cheng1]
玡yáused in place names
砑yàto polish, to grind; to roll with a stone roller
秭zǐbillion
笫zǐbed boards, sleeping mat
胏zǐ
迓yàto receive a guest
冴hù
厊yǎ
岈yáthe name of a mountain
庌yǎ
柹shì
牬bèi
犽yà
疨xiā
笌yá
衺xié
谺xiā
趀cī
釾yé
閕xiā
颬xiā
鴉yācrow; Corvus species (various)
齖yá
Words containing this character20
牙yátooth
西班牙xībānyáSpain
牙齿yáchǐtooth牙齒
西班牙语xībānyáyǔSpanish language西班牙語
牙医yáyīdentist牙醫
葡萄牙pútáoyáPortugal
牙膏yágāotoothpaste
刷牙shuāyáto brush one's teeth
匈牙利xiōngyálìHungary
牙刷yáshuātoothbrush
咬牙yǎoyágnaw
牙买加yámǎijiāJamaica牙買加
象牙xiàngyáivory
假牙jiǎyáfalse teeth
葡萄牙语pútáoyáyǔPortuguese (language)葡萄牙語
牙签yáqiāntoothpick牙籤
牙科yákēdentistry
牙龈yáyíngums牙齦
以牙还牙yǐyáhuányáa tooth for a tooth (retaliation)以牙還牙
老掉牙lǎodiàoyávery old
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 牙

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.'

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