HSK 7, v, 2 strokes, radical 丿, rank #8612, Very Hard
乃
nǎi
to be
HSK 7, unknown, 2 strokes, radical 丿, rank #8612, Very Hard
乃
nǎi
thus
HSK 7, unknown, 2 strokes, radical 丿, rank #8612, Very Hard
乃
nǎi
so
HSK 7, unknown, 2 strokes, radical 丿, rank #8612, Very Hard
乃
nǎi
therefore
HSK 7, unknown, 2 strokes, radical 丿, rank #8612, Very Hard
乃
nǎi
only
HSK 7, unknown, 2 strokes, radical 丿, rank #8612, Very Hard
乃
nǎi
thereupon
HSK 7, unknown, 2 strokes, radical 丿, rank #8612, Very Hard
nǎi(nai3) T3
1then; really, indeed, after all
2to be
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March 24, 2026
乃nǎi(nai3)
The character 乃 (nǎi) is often used to indicate a conclusion or result, similar to 'then' or 'therefore' in English. It can also convey emphasis, meaning 'indeed' or 'after all'. This character is commonly found in classical Chinese texts and can lend a formal tone to sentences.
Strokes2Radical丿Frequency#8612DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In classical Chinese literature, 乃 is frequently used to connect philosophical arguments, reflecting the importance of logic and reasoning in Chinese culture. Its presence in historical texts indicates a rich tradition of deliberation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise sage (the character 乃) pointing out a path (the meaning of 'then' or 'therefore') with a finger, emphasizing that you must follow it. The character's form suggests a sense of direction and consequence.
Meanings of 乃
nǎi(nai3)
1then; really, indeed, after all
2to be
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 乃
乃Simplified
2Strokes
丿Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 乃
Podcast: 乃
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AI Study Notes for 乃
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 乃 with similar-sounding characters like 你 (nǐ) and 她 (tā). It is more formal and may not be used in everyday casual conversations. Common collocations include 乃至 (nǎizhì), which means 'even to' or 'up to'.
HSK Study Tips
While 乃 is not included in the HSK levels, understanding its usage can enhance comprehension of classical texts and formal writing at higher levels. Focus on recognizing its role in connecting thoughts or clauses.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 乃 with 你 (nǐ), leading to mispronunciation or misinterpretation. For example, saying '你' when they mean '乃' can confuse the listener, as they have different meanings and usages.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 乃
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2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 乃? 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 乃?
Decomposition of 乃
IDS Structure⿹？丿
乃Full Character
=
丿pie3
enclosing
Exercise 1 of 1
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 乃?
How to say then; really, indeed, after all in Chinese
“then; really, indeed, after all” in Chinese is乃nǎi
The character 乃 (nǎi) is often used to indicate a conclusion or result, similar to 'then' or 'therefore' in English. It can also convey emphasis, meaning 'indeed' or 'after all'. This character is commonly found in classical Chinese texts and can lend a formal tone to sentences.
When to use 乃
Be careful not to confuse 乃 with similar-sounding characters like 你 (nǐ) and 她 (tā). It is more formal and may not be used in everyday casual conversations. Common collocations include 乃至 (nǎizhì), which means 'even to' or 'up to'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 乃 with 你 (nǐ), leading to mispronunciation or misinterpretation. For example, saying '你' when they mean '乃' can confuse the listener, as they have different meanings and usages.
Write 乃
乃
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Practice writing 乃 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 乃
乃 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
