Definitions

(noun) tooth

Etymology

Depicts top and bottom teeth touching each other.

About

牙 originated as a pictograph depicting interlocking molars. In classical Chinese, it specifically referred to back grinding teeth, distinct from front incisors. Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass any tooth, while also extending to denote animal tusks (like elephant ivory) and objects with tooth-like shapes or interlocking functions.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我每天刷

Wǒ měitiān shuā yá.

I brush my teeth every day.

妈妈买了新刷。

Māma mǎi le xīn yáshuā.

Mom bought a new toothbrush.

弟弟的齿很白。

Dìdi de yáchǐ hěn bái.

My younger brother's teeth are very white.

我用签剔

Wǒ yòng yáqiān tī yá.

I use a toothpick to pick my teeth.

这只大象有长长的象

Zhè zhǐ dàxiàng yǒu chángcháng de xiàngyá.

This elephant has long ivory tusks.

痛的时候不能吃甜食。

Yátòng de shíhou bù néng chī tiánshí.

When you have a toothache, you shouldn't eat sweets.

医建议定期检查齿。

Yáyī jiànyì dìngqī jiǎnchá yáchǐ.

The dentist recommends regular dental check-ups.

儿童膏通常有水果味道。

Értóng yágāo tōngcháng yǒu shuǐguǒ wèidao.

Children's toothpaste usually has fruit flavors.