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March 24, 2026
尔(尒)ěr(er3)
The character 尔 (ěr) is a variant of 爾 and primarily means 'you' or 'that'. It is often used in classical Chinese texts and can also serve as a final particle. While it may not be commonly used in modern spoken Mandarin, it appears in literary contexts and idiomatic expressions.
Strokes5Radical小Frequency#930DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
The use of 尔 is often seen in classical poetry and literature, reflecting a more formal and respectful way of addressing someone. This ties back to the historical emphasis on respect and hierarchy in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a fancy old scroll where a wise scholar points at you and says '尔', which sounds a bit like 'air' but is much more formal. The character's simple form can be visualized as a figure addressing you, making it easier to remember its meaning as 'you'.
Meanings of 尔
ěr(er3)
1thus
2so
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About 尔
尔Simplified
尒Traditional
5Strokes
小Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#930Frequency Rank
Podcast: 尔
Podcast: 尔
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AI Study Notes for 尔
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 尔 with more common words for 'you' like 你 (nǐ). It's important to understand that 尔 is more formal and is rarely used in everyday conversation. Watch out for its usage primarily in literary contexts or classical texts.
HSK Study Tips
Though 尔 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enrich your knowledge of classical texts at higher levels. Focus on recognizing it in readings and differentiate it from contemporary pronouns.
Common Mistakes
Learners may incorrectly use 尔 in everyday conversations, thinking it can replace 你. For example, saying '尔好' instead of '你好' is incorrect; the correct phrase is 你好 (nǐ hǎo).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 尔
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The character 尔 (ěr) is a variant of 爾 and primarily means 'you' or 'that'. It is often used in classical Chinese texts and can also serve as a final particle. While it may not be commonly used in modern spoken Mandarin, it appears in literary contexts and idiomatic expressions.
When to use 尔
Learners often confuse 尔 with more common words for 'you' like 你 (nǐ). It's important to understand that 尔 is more formal and is rarely used in everyday conversation. Watch out for its usage primarily in literary contexts or classical texts.
What learners get wrong
Learners may incorrectly use 尔 in everyday conversations, thinking it can replace 你. For example, saying '尔好' instead of '你好' is incorrect; the correct phrase is 你好 (nǐ hǎo).
Write 尔
尔
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Grammar Patterns of 尔
尔 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 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.
尔 (ěr) is not commonly used in modern spoken Chinese, as it is more prevalent in classical literature. In contemporary usage, people primarily use 你 (nǐ) for 'you'. However, you may encounter 尔 in historical texts or poetry.
The main difference between 尔 (ěr) and 你 (nǐ) is their usage context. 尔 is an archaic form often found in classical literature, while 你 is the standard term for 'you' in modern Mandarin. Therefore, 尔 carries a more formal or poetic tone.
尔 (ěr) is a variant of the character 爾 and can mean 'you' or 'thou'. It is often used in classical Chinese literature. In modern contexts, it can also imply 'so' or 'like that'.
To use 尔 (ěr) in a sentence, you can incorporate it as a form of address. For example, in classical texts, you might say '尔何为?' which translates to 'What are you doing?'. It's important to note that this usage is more common in literary contexts than in everyday conversation.
No, 尔 is primarily used in literary and classical contexts rather than in everyday speech.
尔 is a more formal and archaic way to say 'you', while 你 is the standard modern term.
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