Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
洱ěr(er3)
洱 (ěr) refers specifically to a lake located in Yunnan province, known as Erhai Lake. It is a significant geographical feature and tourist destination, often associated with the local culture and natural beauty of the region.
Strokes9Radical氵
Cultural Note
Erhai Lake is deeply embedded in the culture of the Bai ethnic group in Yunnan, and it is often featured in local festivals, traditional music, and arts. The lake is not only a natural wonder but also a symbol of cultural identity for the Bai people.
Memory Tip
Imagine the character 洱 as a depiction of a serene lake. The water (the radical 水) flows smoothly, and the '耳' (ěr) can be imagined as listening to the gentle waves. Picture yourself at Erhai Lake, hearing the calming sounds of nature.
Meanings of 洱
ěr(er3)
1a lake in Yunnan province
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 洱
洱Simplified
9Strokes
氵Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 洱
Podcast: 洱
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 洱
Usage Notes
While discussing geographical features, it's common to pair 洱 with 海 (hǎi) to refer to Erhai Lake. Be mindful that this character is not frequently used in everyday conversation, so using it in travel contexts or discussions about Yunnan will sound more natural.
HSK Study Tips
Though 洱 is not part of the official HSK levels, it can be useful for learners interested in geography or travel vocabulary. Familiarizing yourself with common place names in Chinese can enhance your conversation skills about travel and locations.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 洱 with similar-sounding characters like 耳 (ěr - ear), leading to incorrect meanings in context. Ensure you use 洱 specifically when referring to Erhai Lake to avoid confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 洱
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 洱 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
2The sound half耳 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaywater
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 洱? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 洱?
Decomposition of 洱
IDS Structure⿰氵耳
洱Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
耳er3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 洱?
How to say a lake in Yunnan province in Chinese
“a lake in Yunnan province” in Chinese is洱ěr
洱 (ěr) refers specifically to a lake located in Yunnan province, known as Erhai Lake. It is a significant geographical feature and tourist destination, often associated with the local culture and natural beauty of the region.
When to use 洱
While discussing geographical features, it's common to pair 洱 with 海 (hǎi) to refer to Erhai Lake. Be mindful that this character is not frequently used in everyday conversation, so using it in travel contexts or discussions about Yunnan will sound more natural.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse 洱 with similar-sounding characters like 耳 (ěr - ear), leading to incorrect meanings in context. Ensure you use 洱 specifically when referring to Erhai Lake to avoid confusion.
Write 洱
洱
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 洱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Word Family of 洱
Words Containing This Character10
普洱茶Pu'er tea from the Pu'er region of Yunnan
普洱Pu'er prefecture level city in Yunnan
洱海Erhai Lake
洱ěrErhai Lake
普洱市Pu'er prefecture level city in Yunnan
宁洱县Ning'er County in Yunnan寧洱縣
洱源Eryuan county in Dali Bai autonomous prefecture 大理白族自治州[DàlǐBáizúzìzhìzhōu], Yunnan
洱源县Eryuan county in Dali Bai autonomous prefecture 大理白族自治州[DàlǐBáizúzìzhìzhōu], Yunnan洱源縣
宁洱哈尼族彝族自治县formerly Pu'er Hani and Yi autonomous county寧洱哈尼族彞族自治縣
普洱哈尼族彝族自治县former Pu'er Hani and Yi autonomous county in Yunnan, renamed in 2007 Ning'er Hani and Yi autonomous county 寧洱哈尼族彞族自治縣|宁洱哈尼族彝族自治县, capital Pu'er city 普洱市普洱哈尼族彞族自治縣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 普洱茶 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 洱
It is pronounced as 'ěr', with a rising tone.
洱海 (Erhai) means 'Erhai Lake', where '海' means 'sea' or 'lake' in this context.
No, 洱 is primarily used in geographical contexts, especially when discussing places in Yunnan.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 洱?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
