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额 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
额é>额[é]n, 15 strokes, radical 页, rank #4989, Hard
额éforeheadn, 15 strokes, radical 页, rank #4989, Hard
额éhorizontal tablet or inscribed boardn, 15 strokes, radical 页, rank #4989, Hard
额éspecified number or amountn, 15 strokes, radical 页, rank #4989, Hard
额éforehead; quota, amountn, 15 strokes, radical 页, rank #4989, Hard
é(e2) T2
  1. 1>额[é]
  2. 2forehead
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
额(頟)é(e2)

The character 额 (é) primarily means 'forehead' in a physical sense but can also refer to a horizontal tablet or inscribed board. Additionally, it signifies a specified number or amount, often in formal contexts such as quotas or limits.

Strokes15Radical页Frequency#4989DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the forehead is often seen as a representation of one's fortune and health, which is why it might hold significance in discussions about one's fate or destiny.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant forehead (额) holding a tablet (the horizontal tablet meaning). The character's shape resembles a forehead with a horizontal line at the top, helping you remember that it relates to both the forehead and an inscribed board.

Meanings of 额

é(e2)
1forehead
2horizontal tablet or inscribed board
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 额

额Simplified
頟Traditional
15Strokes
页Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4989Frequency Rank

Podcast: 额

JasonAmy

Podcast: 额

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 额

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a giant forehead (额) holding a tablet (the horizontal tablet meaning). The character's shape resembles a forehead with a horizontal line at the top, helping you remember that it relates to both the forehead and an inscribed board.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 额 with 額 (which is a more common variant). This character is more formal and may appear in written contexts discussing limits or quotas. Remember to use the correct tone (é) to avoid confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 额 is not directly included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 3 words like 数量 (shùliàng - amount) and 头 (tóu - head), helping learners understand context around measurements and amounts.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the forehead is often seen as a representation of one's fortune and health, which is why it might hold significance in discussions about one's fate or destiny.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 额 with 額, mistakenly using one for the other based on pronunciation. For example, saying '我有很多额' instead of '我有很多额头' (I have a big forehead).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 额

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Etymology of 额

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 页 represents the meaning and 客 represents the sound. Simplified form of 額.

Memory Hint

head

Semantic (meaning)页
+
Phonetic (sound)客
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 额?

Decomposition of 额

IDS Structure⿰客页
额Full Character
=
客ke4
left
页ye4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 额?

Write 额

额

Practice writing 额 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 额

额 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 5 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.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

每个月的彩池奖金总____达1,350万英镑。

Each month the total prize kitty is £5 million.

Example Sentences for 额 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
每个月的彩池奖金总额达1,350万英镑。

měi gè yuè de cǎi chí jiǎng jīn zǒng é dá1,350 1,350 wàn yīng。

Each month the total prize kitty is £5 million.
2
请查一下我的账户余额。

qǐng chá yī xià wǒ de zhàng hù yú é。

I'd like to check the balance in my account please.
3
预订晚了的话你可能要额外多花钱。

yù dìng wǎn le de huà nǐ kě néng yào é wài duō huā qián。

A late booking may involve you in extra cost.
4
再额外多付一些钱的话，你或许就能买到附加险。

zài é wài duō fù yī xiē qián de huà， ， nǐ huò xǔ jiù néng mǎi dào fù jiā。

You'll probably be able to buy supplemental insurance at an extra cost.
5
这项服务可能要你额外支付10％的费用.

zhè xiàng fú wù kě néng yào nǐ é wài zhī fù10％ 10％ de fèi.

You may be charged 10% extra for this service.
6
6月份的出口额上升了1.5%，创下309.1亿美元的历史最高纪录。

6 6 yuè fèn de chū kǒu é shàng shēng1.5%， le 1.5%，309.1 chuàng xià 309.1 yì měi yuán de lì shǐ zuì。

Exports in June rose 5% to a record $91 billion.
7
英国铁路公司遭受了4,500万英镑的巨额损失后境况更加惨淡。

yīng guó tiě lù gōng sī zāo shòu le4,500 4,500 wàn yīng bàng de jù é sǔn shī hòu jìng kuàng gēng jiā cǎn。

The gloom deepened after a thumping £45m loss at British Rail.
8
正如一位愤世嫉俗的旧主顾所说的那样，“他很可能把差额塞进了自己的腰包！”

zhèng rú yī wèi fèn shì jí sú de jiù zhǔ gù suǒ shuō de nà yàng，“ ，“ tā hěn kě néng bǎ chà é sāi jìn le zì jǐ de yāo！”

As one former customer said cynically, "He's probably pocketed the difference!"
9
他被指控滥用秘密的政府行贿基金，金额达1,750万美元。

tā bèi zhǐ kòng làn yòng mì mì de zhèng fǔ háng huì jī jīn， ， jīn é1,750 dá 1,750 wàn。

He's accused of misusing $5 million from a secret government slush fund.
10
如果被判有罪，他就要面临巨额罚款。

rú guǒ bèi pàn yǒu zuì， ， tā jiù yào miàn lín jù é fá。

If he is found guilty he faces a hefty fine.

Cultural Notes for 额

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, the forehead is often seen as a representation of one's fortune and health, which is why it might hold significance in discussions about one's fate or destiny.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While the forehead holds physical significance in both cultures, in Chinese culture, it's more often associated with destiny and fortune, unlike in Western cultures where it primarily denotes physical appearance.

Word Family of 额

Words Containing This Character20
额éforehead額
额外éwàiextra額外
金额jīn’ésum of money金額
份额fèn’éshare份額
总额zǒngétotal (amount or value)總額
额头forehead額頭
巨额jù’éa huge amount巨額
数额shù’éamount數額
名额míng’équota名額
销售额sales figure銷售額
前额forehead前額
余额yú’ésurplus餘額
额度quota額度
高额gāo’éhigh quota高額
超额above quota超額
配额quota配額
焦头烂额fig. hard-pressed焦頭爛額
营业额turnover營業額
定额quota定額
差额chā’édifference差額
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 额 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 额

It is pronounced as 'é' with a rising tone.