阿

ā, ē

可 + 阝

Definitions

ā (particle) prefix used before names and kinship terms to show familiarity

ē (verb) to flatter

ā (particle) used in transliterations

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 阝 represents the meaning and 可 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "hillside". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Semantic: 阝 Phonetic: 可

About

阿 is a phonosemantic compound: 阝, the mound radical, conveys the meaning, and 可 provides the sound. Its original meaning was 'hillside' or a large mound. Today it functions primarily as a phonetic loan, used as an affectionate or informal prefix attached to names, kinship terms, or numbers to create familiar forms of address. A distinct secondary pronunciation yields the meaning of flattering or showing obsequious compliance toward authority.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

阿姨来我家了。

Āyí lái wǒ jiā le.

Auntie came to my house.

阿妈叫我吃饭。

Āmā jiào wǒ chīfàn.

Mom called me to eat.

阿明是我的朋友。

Āmíng shì wǒ de péngyou.

A Ming is my friend.

阿婆在公园里散步。

Āpó zài gōngyuán lǐ sànbù.

Grandma is walking in the park.

阿拉伯国家很多。

Ālābó guójiā hěn duō.

There are many Arab countries.

阿根廷足球很厉害。

Āgēntíng zúqiú hěn lìhai.

Argentinian soccer is very strong.

阿里巴巴是一家大公司。

Ālǐbābā shì yī jiā dà gōngsī.

Alibaba is a big company.

阿联酋的首都是阿布扎比。

Āliánqiú de shǒudū shì Ābùzhābǐ.

The capital of the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 可

Component: 阝

阿