HSK 7, n, 2 strokes, radical 儿, rank #509, Very Hard
儿
ér
non-syllabic diminutive suffix
HSK 7, n, 2 strokes, radical 儿, rank #509, Very Hard
儿
ér
son, child
HSK 7, n, 2 strokes, radical 儿, rank #509, Very Hard
儿
ér
retroflex final
HSK 7, n, 2 strokes, radical 儿, rank #509, Very Hard
儿
r
son
HSK 7, n, 2 strokes, radical 儿, rank #509, Very Hard
儿
r
non-syllabic diminutive suffix
HSK 7, n, 2 strokes, radical 儿, rank #509, Very Hard
儿
r
son, child
HSK 7, n, 2 strokes, radical 儿, rank #509, Very Hard
儿
r
retroflex final
HSK 7, n, 2 strokes, radical 儿, rank #509, Very Hard
ér(er2)
primary
T2
1son
2non-syllabic diminutive suffix
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March 24, 2026
儿(兒)ér(er2)
The character 儿 (ér) primarily serves as a diminutive suffix in Mandarin, often used to indicate affection or a smaller version of something. It can also mean 'son' or 'child' and is commonly used in colloquial speech, particularly in northern China. Additionally, it represents a retroflex final in phonetics, affecting the pronunciation of certain words.
Strokes2Radical儿Frequency#509DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of family is paramount, and terms like 儿子 (érzi) reflect the importance placed on sons and children within familial structures. This character is often used in affectionate terms that convey care and closeness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a child playing with a toy (儿) that is much smaller than usual. The character looks like a little person, symbolizing a 'child' or 'son.' The sound 'ér' can be remembered as the playful giggle of a child, making it easier to associate the character with its meaning.
Meanings of 儿
ér(er2)
primary
1son
2non-syllabic diminutive suffix
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 儿
儿Simplified
兒Traditional
2Strokes
儿Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#509Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 儿
Podcast: 儿
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AI Study Notes for 儿
Quick Contrast
儿 (ér, child) vs 孩 (hái, child) — use 儿 when emphasizing affection or a diminutive form.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 儿 (ér) with other similar characters, as its diminutive function may not be appropriate in formal contexts. Generally, it appears in informal speech and is often used with nouns to create affectionate terms, such as '儿子' (érzi), meaning 'son.' Pay attention to the tone, as it is pronounced with a rising tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 儿 (ér) is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it appears in many HSK vocabulary words. Students should focus on its use in everyday language and practice recognizing it in common phrases. Understanding its diminutive function can enhance vocabulary comprehension at any level.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 儿 in formal contexts, thinking it can be used interchangeably with other terms for 'child' or 'son.' For example, saying '儿子' in a formal document may seem inappropriate; instead, use '子' (zi) or '孩子' (háizi) for neutrality.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 儿
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六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation
Simplified form of 兒. Pictograph of a child with an opening in the top of its head. Represents the soft spot (fontanel) at the top of young infant heads.
Memory Hint
Simplified form of 兒, a picture of a child; compare 人
Simplified form of 兒. Pictograph of a child with an opening in the top of its head. Represents the soft spot (fontanel) at the top of young infant heads.
1The giveawaySimplified form of 兒, a picture of a child; compare 人
2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 儿? 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 儿?
Decomposition of 儿
IDS Structure⿰丿乚
儿Full Character
=
丿pie3
left
乚gou1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 儿?
How to say son in Chinese
“son” in Chinese is儿ér
The character 儿 (ér) primarily serves as a diminutive suffix in Mandarin, often used to indicate affection or a smaller version of something. It can also mean 'son' or 'child' and is commonly used in colloquial speech, particularly in northern China. Additionally, it represents a retroflex final in phonetics, affecting the pronunciation of certain words.
When to use 儿
Be careful not to confuse 儿 (ér) with other similar characters, as its diminutive function may not be appropriate in formal contexts. Generally, it appears in informal speech and is often used with nouns to create affectionate terms, such as '儿子' (érzi), meaning 'son.' Pay attention to the tone, as it is pronounced with a rising tone.
儿 or something close to it
儿 (ér, child) vs 孩 (hái, child) — use 儿 when emphasizing affection or a diminutive form.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 儿 in formal contexts, thinking it can be used interchangeably with other terms for 'child' or 'son.' For example, saying '儿子' in a formal document may seem inappropriate; instead, use '子' (zi) or '孩子' (háizi) for neutrality.
Write 儿
儿
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Practice writing 儿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 儿
儿 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.
