Definitions
(noun)
fork; branch; bifurcation
(noun)
girl
Etymology
Pictograph of a forked tree.
About
The character "丫" originated as a pictograph depicting the forked shape of a tree branch or something bifurcated, which is reflected in its basic structure that resembles a upward-facing 'Y'. This core meaning extended to describe anything with a similar forked form, such as a river delta or the split in a tree. Over time, its application became more figurative and social, evolving to refer specifically to a young girl or maidservant, likely drawing an associative link between the character's shape and the traditional twin buns of a girl's hairstyle. This semantic shift solidified its role in colloquial compounds, where it now primarily functions as a diminutive or familiar term for a female child or young woman, carrying a tone that ranges from affectionate to informal.
Example Sentences Hide
那个丫头很聪明。
丫环在打扫房间。
树上的枝丫很多。
他的脚丫子很大。
小姑娘扎着丫髻。
这棵树的丫杈很奇特。
丫环们正在厨房里忙碌。
她小时候是个调皮的小丫头。