ちゃ

Japanese

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [t͡ɕa̠]

Etymology 1

Syllable

ちゃ (romaji cha)

1. The hiragana syllable ちゃ (cha). Its equivalent in katakana is チャ (cha).

Etymology 2

Noun

ちゃ • (cha) 

1. 茶: tea; tea leaf; matcha; tea ceremony, way of tea; brown

Etymology 3

/te wa/ → */tɣa/ → /tɨa/ → /t͡ɕa/

Conjunction

ちゃ • (cha) 

1. (colloquial) Contraction of ては (te wa)
   • 1813, Shikitei Sanba, Kokkeibon (滑稽本), Ukiyodoko (浮世床): part 1 (初)

     お客(きゃく)が来(く)りゃア、待(また)しちゃ置(おけ)やせん

     O-kyaku ga kuryā, matashicha oke yasen

     When our cutomers come, we won't keep them waiting, sir.