Definitions

ěr (noun) ear
ěr (noun) handle

Etymology

Pictograph of an ear.

About

The character for "ear", 耳, originated as a straightforward pictogram of the human ear, a form which through gradual stylization over centuries crystallized into the traditional character still recognized today. Its basic structure, representing the outer curve and internal details of the ear, has remained fundamentally unchanged, and it was not simplified from a more complex form. While its primary meaning has always been the physical organ, it developed an extended grammatical use in classical Chinese, where it frequently functioned as a sentence-final particle to express a sense of limitation or mere assertion. Furthermore, its semantic value extends into composition, where it serves as a radical in numerous other characters, typically imparting a connection to hearing, sound, or the act of listening itself.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的朵很痒。

Wǒ de ěrduo hěn yǎng.

My ears are very itchy.

他喜欢戴机听音乐。

Tā xǐhuan dài ěrjī tīng yīnyuè.

He likes to wear headphones to listen to music。

姐姐的环很漂亮。

Jiějie de ěrhuán hěn piàoliang.

My older sister's earrings are very beautiful。

每天早上鸟儿在窗外鸣叫。

Měitiān zǎoshang niǎo er zài chuāngwài míngjiào.

Every morning birds chirp outside the window。

请把重要的事情记在心里。

Qǐng bǎ zhòngyào de shìqíng jì zài xīnlǐ.

Please keep the important matters in mind。

这个消息早已传遍四方。

Zhège xiāoxi zǎoyǐ chuánbiàn sìfāng。

This news has long since spread everywhere。

他们在角落里低声语。

Tāmen zài jiǎoluò lǐ dīshēng ěryǔ。

They are whispering in the corner。

巨大的爆炸声震破了我的膜。

Jùdà de bàozhà shēng zhèn pòle wǒ de ěrmó。

The huge explosion sound ruptured my eardrum。