牙
tooth; ivory; tooth-shaped object; surname
Meanings
5 senses · 19 examplesnoun
tooth; molar (general term for teeth)
The standard basic term for human and animal teeth, often used in daily conversation and formal contexts.
My teeth are very healthy.
Brush your teeth after meals to protect them.
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He pulled out a rotten tooth.
Children will grow new permanent teeth during the teething period.
The dentist is checking my teeth.
noun
ivory
formalRefers specifically to the hard white material from elephant tusks, used to make crafts and utensils.
This ivory carving craft is very exquisite.
He collected a pair of ivory chopsticks.
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Ivory seals are traditional stationery supplies.
International conventions ban ivory trade.
This ornament uses precious ivory material.
adjective
tooth-shaped; tooth-like
Used to describe objects that have a similar shape to human or animal teeth, often combined with the suffix "子".
The teeth of this gear are very sharp.
The teeth of the saw are worn out.
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The spacing between the comb teeth is very uniform.
The teeth of the rake can loosen the soil.
There are many small tooth-shaped parts on this component.
noun
surname Ya
A relatively rare Chinese surname.
Mr. Ya is my neighbor.
Professor Ya teaches at the university.
noun
tooth agent; pawnbroker's assistant
archaicAbbreviated form of 牙子, refers to a middleman in traditional trade or an assistant in a pawnshop, now rarely used in modern daily language.
Traditional tooth brokers made money by matching buyers and sellers.
He worked as an assistant at a local tooth brokerage firm.