伽 (gā) — (character) used to transliterate the sound 'ga' in foreign loanwords

Definition

伽 (gā) is a bound character used only in transliterating foreign names and terms — it has no standalone meaning. Recognise it in 伽马射线 ('gamma rays') and 伽利略 ('Galileo').

bound form
(character) used to transliterate the sound 'ga' in foreign loanwords
Easily confused

Examples

  • 。
    gā Mǎ shè xiàn shì yì zhǒng gāo néng diàn cí bō.
    Gamma rays are a type of high-energy electromagnetic wave.
  • 。
    Kē xué jiā yòng gā mǎ shè xiàn zhì liáo ái zhèng.
    Scientists use gamma rays to treat cancer.
  • 。
    gā Lì lüè shì yì dà lì tiān wén xué jiā.
    Galileo was an Italian astronomer.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
人人rénman
Sound part声符shēngfú
加
加jiā伽
Same sound today

伽 is made of 人 (man) plus 加, and 加 is used for the sound.

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