Definition
牙 (yá) is the everyday word for a tooth; it's used in common compounds like 牙刷 (toothbrush) and 牙膏 (toothpaste). 牙齿 (yá chǐ) is a more formal term for teeth, often used in writing or when talking about dental care. 牙 can also mean 'ivory' (as in 象牙, xiàng yá).
noun
toothivory
Measure word · 颗
Easily confused
- 呀yāsound-alike(interjection) ah! oh! (expressing surprise, sudden realization, or admiration)
- 压yāsound-aliketo press, to push down
- 押yāsound-aliketo pawn, to mortgage
- 哑yǎsound-alikemute, dumb
- 芽yásound-alikebud, sprout
Examples
- 牙。Wǒ yǒu yì kē yá téng.I have a toothache.
- 牙。Qǐng bǎohù hǎo nǐ de yá.Please protect your teeth well.
- 牙。Háizi de yá hěn bái.The child's teeth are very white.
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