Meanings of 爾
By ear
Play it, then pick what 爾 means.
About 爾
Podcast: 爾
Podcast: 爾
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 爾
Learners often confuse 爾 with the more common 你 (nǐ), which is used in everyday conversation. While 爾 can be used in formal or literary contexts, it may sound overly archaic in casual speech. Be cautious not to use it as a direct replacement for more common pronouns in modern Mandarin.
Although not included in the HSK, understanding 爾 can deepen your appreciation of classical texts. Focus on recognizing its use in literature and poetry, as it enhances your reading comprehension of historical documents and classical literature.
Learners might incorrectly use 爾 in modern conversations, thinking it is equivalent to 你. For example, saying '爾好' instead of '你好' (nǐ hǎo) for 'hello' is a common error.
Pronunciation of 爾
Drill the tone of 爾 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 爾 to You
Let me explain 爾 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 爾 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 爾?
Learning Lab
Knowing 爾 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 爾
Simplified form of 爾. Origin unclear. Used in ancient texts to mean "you".
Decomposition of 爾
Parts
Which of these is part of 爾?
How to say you; that, those; final particle in Chinese
“you; that, those; final particle” in Chinese is爾
The character 爾 (ěr) primarily means 'you' and is used in a somewhat archaic or literary context. It can also mean 'that' or 'those', and functions as a final particle in classical Chinese, often used to add emphasis or a concluding tone to a statement.
When to use 爾
Learners often confuse 爾 with the more common 你 (nǐ), which is used in everyday conversation. While 爾 can be used in formal or literary contexts, it may sound overly archaic in casual speech. Be cautious not to use it as a direct replacement for more common pronouns in modern Mandarin.
What learners get wrong
Learners might incorrectly use 爾 in modern conversations, thinking it is equivalent to 你. For example, saying '爾好' instead of '你好' (nǐ hǎo) for 'hello' is a common error.
Write 爾
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 爾 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 爾?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
Word Family of 爾
Characters with 爾
What does 尔 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 爾
No, 爾 is not commonly used in daily conversations and is instead found in classical texts.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 爾?
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.