Definition
丫 (yā) is a bound form (b.f.) meaning 'forked, branching' or 'girl/maidservant'. Originally referring to a forked tree branch or the forked hairstyle of young girls, it is used in compounds like 丫头 (girl) and 丫鬟 (maidservant). In modern Chinese, it also appears in words like 枝丫 (tree branch fork).
b.f.
(bound form) forkedbranching (e.g. 树丫, 枝丫)(bound form) girlmaidservant (e.g. 丫头, 丫鬟)
Examples
- 。Zhège yā tou zhēn kě'ài.This girl is really cute.
- 丫鬟。Gǔdài yǒu qián rénjiā dōu yǒu yā huán.In ancient times, wealthy families all had maidservants.
- 丫。Xiǎo niǎo zhàn zài zhī yā shàng chànggē.The little bird stood on a branch fork and sang.
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