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March 24, 2026
芽yá(ya2)
The character 芽 (yá) refers to a 'bud' or 'sprout', typically indicating the early growth stage of a plant. It is commonly used in contexts related to gardening, botany, and agriculture, symbolizing new beginnings and growth.
Strokes7Radical艹Frequency#14698DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the bud symbolizes hope and renewal, often associated with the Spring Festival when nature awakens from winter. It reflects the importance of agriculture and connection to nature in Chinese life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small green bud (芽) pushing through the soil, eager to reach the sunlight. The character resembles a sprouting plant with its two 'leaves' (the components) reaching upwards, which helps you remember that it signifies growth.
Meanings of 芽
yá(ya2)
1bud
2sprout
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 芽
芽Simplified
7Strokes
艹Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#14698Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 芽
Podcast: 芽
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AI Study Notes for 芽
Quick Contrast
萌 (méng) - use 芽 (yá) when specifically referring to a 'bud' or 'sprout', while 萌 (méng) can imply the broader concept of sprouting or budding in a more general sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small green bud (芽) pushing through the soil, eager to reach the sunlight. The character resembles a sprouting plant with its two 'leaves' (the components) reaching upwards, which helps you remember that it signifies growth.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 芽 (bud) with similar characters like 脱 (to shed) due to their visual similarities. 芽 is more commonly used in informal contexts, such as gardening conversations, while its formal usages can be found in literature discussing plant biology.
HSK Study Tips
Although 芽 is not included in the HSK levels, it is relevant for learners studying nature-related vocabulary. Focus on its usage in context with other plant-related terms like 植物 (zhíwù - plant) and 花 (huā - flower).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the bud symbolizes hope and renewal, often associated with the Spring Festival when nature awakens from winter. It reflects the importance of agriculture and connection to nature in Chinese life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly write 芽 with the wrong radicals, confusing it with characters like 牙 (yá - tooth). Ensure you remember that 芽 has the plant radical (艹) at the top, indicating its botanical meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 芽
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Grammar Patterns of 芽
芽 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
有一些种子发____快，所以差不多每天得察看一下。
Some seed varieties germinate fast, so check every day or so.
Example Sentences for 芽 (10)
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1
有一些种子发芽快，所以差不多每天得察看一下。
yǒu yī xiē zhǒng zǐ fā yá kuài， ， suǒ yǐ chà bù duō měi tiān dé chá kàn yī。
Some seed varieties germinate fast, so check every day or so.
2
豆子只要几天就能发芽。
dòu zǐ zhī yào jī tiān jiù néng fā yá。
It only takes a few days for beans to sprout.
3
我从餐具柜里取出一瓶自己收藏的最好的麦芽威士忌。
wǒ cóng cān jù guì lǐ qǔ chū yī píng zì jǐ shōu cáng de zuì hǎo de mài yá wēi shì jì。
I got a bottle of my best malt out of the sideboard.
4
这些发展早在十多年前的萌芽阶段就已预见到。
zhè xiē fā zhǎn zǎo zài shí duō nián qián de méng yá jiē duàn jiù yǐ yù jiàn dào。
These developments were foreseen in embryo more than a decade ago.
5
再过几天球芽甘蓝就可以吃了。
zài guò jī tiān qiú yá gān lán jiù kě yǐ chī le。
In a few days time the sprouts will be ready to eat.
6
蛞蝓会破坏长出的新芽。
kuò yú huì pò huài cháng chū de xīn yá。
Slugs play merry hell with emerging shoots.
7
今年树萌芽得早.
jīn nián shù méng yá dé zǎo.
The trees are budding early this year.
8
她发芽, 含苞, 春雨,夏风, 秋霜,冬雪.
tā fā yá, , hán, bāo ,, chūn yǔ, , xià, fēng ,.
She germination, bud, spring rain summer wind , akishimo, Dongxue.
9
过多的葡萄活力差,可能会出现以下作物和冬芽的损害.
guò duō de pú táo huó lì chà, , kě néng huì chū xiàn yǐ xià zuò wù hé dōng yá de sǔn.
Excessive vine vigor may occur following poor crops and winter bud damage.
10
冬芽卵形被鳞片.
dōng yá luǎn xíng bèi lín piàn.
Bud ovoid quilt scale of winter.
Cultural Notes for 芽
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the bud symbolizes hope and renewal, often associated with the Spring Festival when nature awakens from winter. It reflects the importance of agriculture and connection to nature in Chinese life.
Word Family of 芽
Words Containing This Character14
芽yábud
麦芽malt麥芽
萌芽méngyáto bud
发芽to germinate發芽
豆芽bean sprout
麦芽糖maltose (sweet syrup)麥芽糖
嫩芽soft shoot
胚芽bud
催芽to promote germination
豆芽菜bean sprouts
腋芽axillary bud
顶芽terminal bud (growing at the tip of a plant)頂芽
侧芽axillary bud側芽
胚芽鞘coleoptile, protective sheath covering an emerging shoot (botany)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 芽 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 芽
The pinyin is 'yá', with a rising tone, similar to the English word 'yeah' but starting lower.
While primarily used for plants, it can metaphorically describe new ideas or beginnings.
Yes, you can find it in words like 芽菜 (yácài - sprouts) which are commonly used in cooking.
