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March 24, 2026
耳朵ěrduo(er3duo5)
耳朵 (ěr duo) means 'ear' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to refer to the organ of hearing as well as in expressions related to listening or sound perception. The character emphasizes the physical aspect of an ear, distinguishing it from other related concepts.
Strokes12Frequency#2139DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, listening is highly valued, often associated with wisdom and respect. The concept of 'having ears' can imply being open to advice or feedback, reflecting the importance of communication in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large ear that is shaped like a door (朵) that opens up to sounds from the world. The '耳' part looks like an ear itself, and '朵' sounds like 'door', helping you remember that it's the part of you that hears the world around you.
Meanings of 耳朵
ěrduo(er3duo5)
1ear
2handle (on a cup)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 耳朵
耳朵Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2139Frequency Rank
只Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 耳朵
Podcast: 耳朵
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AI Study Notes for 耳朵
Usage Notes
When using 耳朵, remember that it is typically used in informal contexts. Common mistakes include confusing it with related terms like 听 (tīng, to listen) or 耳 (ěr, ear without the '朵'), which can lead to misunderstanding. Pay attention to the measure word, which is usually 只 (zhī) or 个 (gè).
HSK Study Tips
As part of HSK Level 3, 耳朵 connects with other body parts vocabulary like 眼睛 (yǎn jīng, 'eye') and 鼻子 (bí zi, 'nose'). Focus on practicing pronunciation and using it in context with phrases related to actions like listening or hearing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly say '耳' (ěr) instead of 耳朵 (ěr duo), which is incomplete. Another mistake is using the wrong measure word, like saying '三耳朵' instead of '三只耳朵' for 'three ears.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 耳朵
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How Well Do You Know 耳朵?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 耳朵 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.
耳朵 (ěr duo) means 'ear' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to refer to the organ of hearing as well as in expressions related to listening or sound perception. The character emphasizes the physical aspect of an ear, distinguishing it from other related concepts.
When to use 耳朵
When using 耳朵, remember that it is typically used in informal contexts. Common mistakes include confusing it with related terms like 听 (tīng, to listen) or 耳 (ěr, ear without the '朵'), which can lead to misunderstanding. Pay attention to the measure word, which is usually 只 (zhī) or 个 (gè).
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly say '耳' (ěr) instead of 耳朵 (ěr duo), which is incomplete. Another mistake is using the wrong measure word, like saying '三耳朵' instead of '三只耳朵' for 'three ears.'
Write 耳朵
耳
朵
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Practice writing 耳朵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 耳朵
耳朵 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 2 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
那只棕鼠两只____向前支着，一条长尾巴布满鳞片。
The brown rat has prominent ears and a long scaly tail.
