zhā
interjection #37,171

Meanings

  1. 1 (onomatopoeia) chirp / twitter
  2. 2 (historical) yes, sir (Manchu reply)

Examples

Xiǎo niǎo zài shù shàng zhāzhā jiào.
The little birds were chirping in the tree.
太监:「!」
Tàijiàn dádào: "Zhā!"
The eunuch answered, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Tips

history
In Qing-dynasty palace dramas you constantly hear servants reply ! to the emperor. It transliterates the Manchu word "je" meaning "yes / understood." Outside that historical setting it is purely the onomatopoeia for bird chirping (alt. reading chā).

Stroke Order

zhā