Definitions

ér (noun) child; son
r (particle) diminutive suffix

Etymology

Simplified form of . Variant form of , a pictograph of a human.

About

The character "儿" originates from the traditional form "兒", which etymologically represented a young child with an open fontanelle. Structurally, "兒" is composed of "臼", symbolizing the head, and "儿", depicting legs, though the simplified form retains only the latter component. Initially denoting "child" or "son", the character's meaning shifted to also serve as a colloquial nominal suffix in modern Mandarin, modifying words without altering core definitions.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的子五岁。

Wǒ de érzi wǔ suì.

My son is five years old.

她有一个女

Tā yǒu yī gè nǚ'ér.

She has a daughter.

很漂亮。

Zhèr hěn piàoliang.

Here is very beautiful.

童喜欢玩具。

Értóng xǐhuān wánjù.

Children like toys.

小明在公园玩

Xiǎo Míng zài gōngyuán wánr.

Xiao Ming is playing in the park.

那个小男孩很聪明。

Nàge xiǎo nán háir hěn cōngmíng.

That little boy is very smart.

在春天开放。

Huār zài chūntīan kāifàng.

Flowers bloom in spring.

子和女都去上学了。

Érzi hé nǚ'ér dōu qù shàngxué le.

Both son and daughter have gone to school.