呀
Character learning workspace

yā / ya · particle used to express surprise

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 4HSK 3.0 · Level 5Frequency #432
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Learn every stroke in 呀

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

呀 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

yā

ah (used to express surprise); (onom.) creaking

哎呀āi yā · interjection of wonder, shock or admiration
ya

(particle equivalent to 啊 after a vowel, expressing surprise or doubt)

天呀tiān ya · Heavens!
Step-by-step explorer

See how 呀 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Character anatomy

Understand the reusable parts

The decomposition shows how the visual pieces fit together, not necessarily the character’s historical origin.

Writing notes

Shape and proportion

7Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

口Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 呀 writing sheet

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 呀

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

yāah (used to express surprise); (onom.) creaking
ya(particle equivalent to 啊 after a vowel, expressing surprise or doubt)
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 呀 sits in each complete thought.

Āiyā - wǒ wàng le wǒ de yào.哎呀- 我忘了我的藥。

Oops - I forgot my medicine.

Source: Tatoeba #781473 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Āiyā, wǒ men hǎo xiàng wàng le tāng mǔ.哎呀,我们好像忘了汤姆。

Oops, I think we forgot Tom.

Source: Tatoeba #6682930 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ de gǒu yǒu duō dà ya? wǒ de tǐng xiǎo de.你的狗有多大呀?我的挺小的。

How big is your dog? Mine is small.

Source: Tatoeba #10280068 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ de chuáng yǒu duō dà ya?你的床有多大呀?

How big is your bed?

Source: Tatoeba #10303628 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ bù lái shuí lái ya?我不来谁来呀?

If I don't come, who will?

Source: Tatoeba #420794 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ men yǐwéi shì shuí, yuán lái shì nín ya!我们以为是谁,原来是您呀!

We were wondering who it was, and it turns out that it was you!

Source: Tatoeba #939833 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 呀 in context

  1. Say yā / ya, then recall the core meaning: particle used to express surprise.
  2. Write all 7 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 哎呀 (āi yā), meaning “interjection of wonder, shock or admiration”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 呀 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.