yǎo yá

咬 牙

Level:

SW HSK 5 RW AAB

ReadWriteQuiz

1
v.clench/gnash/grit one's teeth
- tā yī yǎo yá dā ying le
  他一咬牙答应了。
  He agreed with clenched teeth.
- tā yǎo yá rěn zhe tòng kǔ
  他咬牙忍着痛苦。
  He clenched his teeth, enduring the intense pain.
- tīng le zhè huà ér zi yǎo yá zuì zhōng gǔ qǐ le yǒng qì
  听了这话，儿子咬牙，最终鼓起了勇气。
  Hearing this, the son clinched his teeth and summoned up his courage.
2
v.grind one's teeth (in sleep, caused by indigestion, etc.)
- tā zhěng yè yǎo yá chǎo de wǒ shuì bù zháo jiào
  他整夜咬牙，吵得我睡不着觉。
  All night he grinds his teeth together, keeping me awake.

Separable word
"咬" and "牙" can be combined as one word, or be used separately with other elements inserted.
- 我咬着牙才没有发火。
  I gritted my teeth to hold my temper.
- 那时为了度过难关，我也咬过牙。
  I gritted my teeth and got through the hard time.
- 昨晚你又咬了一夜牙。
  You ground your teeth all night last night.
Reduplication
"咬牙" can be reduplicated, for example: "咬咬牙".
- 她咬咬牙一头扎进冰冷的水里。
  She gritted her teeth and plunged into the cold water.

咬牙