About
The character 尔 is a simplified form, primarily functioning as a grammatical component in modern Chinese. Its traditional form, 爾, originated as a pictograph depicting the complex structure of an ancient wooden weaving loom. Though it initially referred to this specific tool, its meaning shifted entirely through phonetic borrowing to become a second-person pronoun meaning 'you.' Over time, its use as a standalone pronoun in spoken language faded. It now mainly serves as a formal literary suffix or a phonetic component in transcribed names, frequently appearing as a classical particle indicating manner or state.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
偶尔去公园散步。
这是一个尔格的定义。
此事的后果尔后便知。
喀尔巴阡山脉景色壮丽。
他为人诚实，从不尔虞我诈。
这项决定关乎尔等的切身利益。
国际关系岂能如此反复无常、出尔反尔？
尔曹身与名俱灭，不废江河万古流。