旮旯 (gā lá) — a nook or a corner; a secluded or out-of-the-way place

Definition

A colloquial, often northern-Chinese word for a small nook or cramped corner (a gap, recess, or out-of-the-way spot). More vivid and informal than plain 角落.

noun
a nook or a cornera secluded or out-of-the-way place
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 旮旯。
    Zhè ge fáng jiān de gā lá lǐ yǒu hěn duō huī chén.
    There is a lot of dust in the corner of this room.
  • 旮旯。
    Tā xǐ huan yí gè rén duǒ zài gā lá lǐ kàn shū.
    He likes to hide in a nook and read books alone.
  • 旮旯。
    Bǎ sào zhou fàng zài mén hòu de gā lá lǐ ba.
    Put the broom in the nook behind the door.

Origin

Single-morpheme word
构词法gòucífǎ
联绵liánmiánBound pair

Two characters that only ever appear together, spelling one ancient two-syllable word.

旮gā
旯lá

The characters 旮 and 旯 do not carry meanings of their own; together they name a nook or corner.

Sound-only characters

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

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