Definitions
variant of 乃[nǎi] (used as a surname, in given names or in place names)
Etymology
About
The character 迺 (nǎi) is composed of the movement radical 辶 (chuò) enclosing the phonetic component 西 (xī). Originally denoting an action related to movement or proceeding, it was phonetically repurposed to become a direct variant of 乃 (nǎi). In classical Chinese, it primarily functions as a conjunction meaning 'then,' 'thus,' or 'to be,' mirroring the use of 乃. Its usage is confined to classical texts, historical documents, and formal calligraphy, with no role in modern conversational grammar.
Etymology Hide
