呀 - Dong Chinese dictionary

particle used to express surprise or mild emphasis

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 牙 represents the sound.

Components

口 Meaning component

kǒu

mouth

牙 Sound component

yá

tooth

Evolution

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)

Regular script

Modern

Definitions

呀

particle used to express surprise or mild emphasis; (Cant.) slurred form of the number ten; (particle equivalent to 啊 after a vowel, expressing surprise or doubt)

Most common words with 呀

Freq.	Word	Meaning
	呀	(particle equivalent to 啊 after a vowel, expressing surprise or doubt)
	哎呀	interjection of wonder, shock or admiration
	啊呀	Oh my!
	天呀	Heavens!