Definitions
(noun)
corner; nook
Etymology
About
The character 旯 (lá) is a simple combination of 日 (rì, 'sun') on top and 九 (jiǔ, 'nine') below. Its precise origin is unclear and it does not behave as a typical phono-semantic compound. In modern Chinese it has no meaning of its own, functioning solely as a phonetic bound morpheme in the colloquial northern word 旮旯 (gālá). This term, rooted in regional speech, describes a small, narrow corner, a hidden nook, or an out-of-the-way place where sunlight finds it hard to reach.
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.