牙 Stroke Order — How to Write 牙
牙 is written in 4 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 牙, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
牙 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- yá
Meanings of 牙 in Chinese
1
yá牙
When pronounced yá, 牙 primarily refers to teeth. Historically, it specifically meant large teeth, but now it is a general term for all teeth (牙齿). It's used in compounds like 'dental plaque' (牙垢), 'gums' (牙龈), and 'gritty' (牙碜).
你需要每天刷牙，以免产生牙垢。
You need to brush your teeth every day to avoid dental plaque.
Something shaped like a tooth, often referring to a projection or side piece, such as the runner or side of a drawer.
这个抽屉牙子坏了，得修一下
This drawer runner is broken; it needs to be repaired.
Refers specifically to ivory, especially elephant tusk, as in 'ivory carving'.
这件牙雕作品非常精美。
This ivory carving is exquisite.
An old term for a person who mediates transactions and profits from them; a broker or middleman.
他以前在码头做牙行生意，帮人牵线买卖货物。
He used to run a brokerage business at the dock, helping people facilitate the buying and selling of goods.
Common Words and Phrases with 牙
1
Gritty (of food, causing an unpleasant sensation when chewed); jarring or offensive (of words/speech).
他说话太牙碜了，听着让人很不舒服。
His way of speaking is too crude, it makes people very uncomfortable to listen.
2
In ancient times, the fortified headquarters or stronghold of a commanding general.
大军压境，主帅在牙城内运筹帷幄，决胜千里。
With the enemy army pressing close, the commander-in-chief, strategizing within his yacheng, planned his victories from afar.
3
Tooth or teeth, referring to the hard, bony structures in the mouth used for chewing.
每天刷牙齿是保持口腔卫生的好习惯。
Brushing your teeth every day is a good habit for maintaining oral hygiene.
4
Gums (the tissue surrounding the teeth); also, an ivory-inlaid or finely crafted bed.
牙医检查了我的牙床，确认没有发炎迹象。
The dentist examined my gums and confirmed there were no signs of inflammation.
5
Ivory carving refers to the art of carving images or patterns on ivory, and also to the handicrafts made from carved ivory.
这件牙雕作品展现了精湛的传统工艺。
This ivory carving piece showcases exquisite traditional craftsmanship.
6
Tooth powder is a powdered substance used for brushing teeth, typically made from ingredients like calcium carbonate, soap powder, and fragrance.
奶奶以前喜欢用牙粉刷牙，觉得比牙膏清洁力更强。
Grandma used to like brushing her teeth with tooth powder, feeling it had stronger cleaning power than toothpaste.
7
8
Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is a hard deposit of calcium salts and other substances that forms on the teeth.
为了防止牙垢堆积，建议每天刷牙两次，并定期进行口腔检查。
To prevent tartar buildup, it is recommended to brush teeth twice a day and have regular dental check-ups.
9
The mandibular joint; often used to describe clenching one's teeth.
他咬紧牙关，努力克服眼前的困难。
He gritted his teeth, striving to overcome the present difficulties.
10
Dental plaque or gum (gingiva).
她的牙花有点红肿，可能是上火了
Her gums are a bit red and swollen, perhaps due to inflammation.
11
borrowed or repeated ideas/words from others, often implying unoriginality or a lack of personal insight.
他的演讲听起来有些空洞，很多地方都像是拾人牙慧，缺乏自己的真知灼见。
His speech sounded a bit empty, many parts seemed like rehashed ideas from others, lacking his own genuine insights.
12
Ingenious gear machine; an intricately designed mechanism with interlocking gears.
这款古董钟表内部的牙机巧制令人叹为观止，每一颗齿轮都精准无误。
The ingenious mechanical precision of the gears (牙机巧制) within this antique clock is truly breathtaking, with every single cog perfectly calibrated.
13
sumptuous food; an elaborate or special meal
辛苦工作了一周，周末我们决定给自己加个牙祭
After a week of hard work, we decided to treat ourselves to a hearty meal on the weekend.
14
Dental care products or oral hygiene tools.
每次出差，我都会带上自己的牙具，方便个人清洁。
Every time I go on a business trip, I bring my own oral hygiene products for personal cleanliness.
15
The condition of teeth, referring to an animal's age as shown by its teeth, or an elderly person's chewing ability.
奶奶虽然年纪大了，但是牙口很好，什么都能吃。
Although Grandma is old, her teeth are still very good, and she can eat anything.
More words with 牙
- áo聱yá牙Abstruse, Difficult to pronounce
- cáo槽yá牙Molar teeth or back teeth.
- chóng虫yá牙a carious or decayed tooth
- fó佛yá牙tooth relic of Buddha
- liè裂yá牙Cracked tooth
- quǎn犬yá牙canine tooth, canine
- xiāng镶yá牙dental restoration, to fit artificial teeth
- xiàng象yá牙ivory
- yǎo咬yá牙Grit one's teeth
- zhǎo爪yá牙henchman, minion
- chóng虫chī吃yá牙tooth decay or a carious tooth
- xián闲mó磨yá牙Gossip, Idle chatter
- yá牙yī医dentist, tooth doctor
- shuā刷yá牙brush teeth
- yá牙qiān签toothpick
- yá牙qiáo桥dental bridge, bridge
- yá牙téng疼toothache, dental pain
- yá牙tòng痛toothache
- yá牙háng行broker's firm, brokerage firm
- yá牙yín龈gum, gums
Idioms with 牙
- yá牙yá牙xué学yǔ语babbling to learn speech
- áo聱yá牙jǐ戟kǒu口abstruse and difficult to read
- áo聱yá牙jié诘qū屈obscure and difficult to understand
- bō拨zuǐ嘴liáo撩yá牙stir up trouble
- chǐ齿yá牙wéi为huò祸malicious gossip stirs up trouble
- dǎ打yá牙fàn犯zuǐ嘴joke around or banter playfully
- hóng红kǒu口bái白yá牙firmly state or confirm a statement
- hǔ虎kǒu口bá拔yá牙take on an extremely dangerous task
- jí佶qū屈áo聱yá牙writing that is tortuous, awkward, and hard to read
- jīn金kǒu口yù玉yá牙speak with absolute authority and keep promises
- lì利chǐ齿néng能yá牙eloquent and persuasive in speech
- lì俐chǐ齿líng伶yá牙eloquent and quick-witted in speech
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Open the tool →Questions about 牙
What does 牙 mean in Chinese?
牙 (yá) means “When pronounced yá” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 牙?
牙 is pronounced yá in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 牙 have?
牙 has 4 strokes.
How do you write 牙?
牙 is written in 4 strokes, starting from the radical 牙. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 牙?
The radical of 牙 is 牙.