牙 (yá) - Tooth, tusk, ivory & tooth-like object

牙Tone 2

yá ｜ 4 strokes ｜ radical: 牙

信嫣

牙 · yá

Tooth, tusk, ivory;

tooth-like object;

commercial intermediary (牙人)

Tooth, tusk, ivorytooth-like objectcommercial intermediary (牙人)

Usage highlights

ToothDentistToothbrushToothpasteIvoryMolar

Synonyms

  • 齿— tooth (more formal/literary)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I need to see a dentist for my toothache (牙疼).
  • The elephant's tusk is made of ivory (象牙).
  • She is wearing braces on her teeth (牙套).

Collocations

  • Tooth(牙齿)
  • Dentist(牙医)
  • Toothbrush(牙刷)
  • Toothpaste(牙膏)
  • Ivory(象牙)
  • Molar(磨牙)

Idioms

  • Baring fangs and brandishing claws(张牙舞爪)
  • Teeth and claws(爪牙)
  • Gritting one's teeth in determination(咬牙切齿)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used for ivory carving, a significant art form in China.
  • In traditional commerce, 牙人 referred to brokers or middlemen.

FAQ