Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
耶yē(ye1)
The character 耶 (yē) is primarily used in transliterations of foreign names and terms into Mandarin. It can also serve as a final particle to express enthusiasm or affirmation, often found in colloquial speech. Additionally, in classical Chinese, it functions as an interrogative particle, adding a questioning tone to statements.
Strokes8Radical耳Frequency#760DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the use of particles like 耶 often reflects the speaker's emotional state and can help convey a more relaxed, friendly tone in conversations. It mirrors the importance of emotional expression in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a joyful cheerleader exclaiming 'Yay!' as they lift a banner that reads '耶'. The character's top part resembles a waving hand, symbolizing excitement, while the bottom part can be seen as the base of a trophy, representing victory and enthusiasm.
Meanings of 耶
yē(ye1)
primary
1(phonetic ye)
2interrogative particle (classical)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 耶
耶Simplified
8Strokes
耳Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 耶
Podcast: 耶
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 耶
Usage Notes
耶 is often used informally and can be mistaken for similar-sounding words. It's important to use it in the right context, especially to convey enthusiasm in casual conversations. Common collocations include expressions of agreement or excitement, such as '耶！我们去吧！' (Yay! Let's go!).
HSK Study Tips
耶 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, but understanding its usage can enhance conversational skills. Students should focus on recognizing it in spoken Mandarin and practice using it in informal settings to express enthusiasm.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 耶 with the similar-sounding 也 (yě), which means 'also'. For example, saying '我耶去' instead of '我也去' (I also go) is incorrect; the proper phrase is '我也去'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 耶
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 耶 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 耳 represents the meaning and 阝 represents the sound.
1The meaning half耳 carries the sense.
2The sound half阝 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayear
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 耶? 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 耶?
Decomposition of 耶
IDS Structure⿰耳阝
耶Full Character
=
耳er3
left
阝yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 耶?
How to say (phonetic ye) in Chinese
“(phonetic ye)” in Chinese is耶yē
The character 耶 (yē) is primarily used in transliterations of foreign names and terms into Mandarin. It can also serve as a final particle to express enthusiasm or affirmation, often found in colloquial speech. Additionally, in classical Chinese, it functions as an interrogative particle, adding a questioning tone to statements.
When to use 耶
耶 is often used informally and can be mistaken for similar-sounding words. It's important to use it in the right context, especially to convey enthusiasm in casual conversations. Common collocations include expressions of agreement or excitement, such as '耶！我们去吧！' (Yay! Let's go!).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 耶 with the similar-sounding 也 (yě), which means 'also'. For example, saying '我耶去' instead of '我也去' (I also go) is incorrect; the proper phrase is '我也去'.
Write 耶
耶
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 耶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 耶
耶 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 4 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我接触到一些非常聪明的哈佛和____鲁的学生。
I came into contact with very bright Harvard and Yale students.
Example Sentences for 耶 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我接触到一些非常聪明的哈佛和耶鲁的学生。
wǒ jiē chù dào yī xiē fēi cháng cōng míng de hā fó hé yé lǔ de xué shēng。
I came into contact with very bright Harvard and Yale students.
