Meanings of 兒
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 兒
Podcast: 兒
Podcast: 兒
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 兒
儿 (ér) vs 孩 (hái) — use 兒 (ér) for familial affection or diminutive, while 孩 (hái) is more neutral, referring to a child without the endearing nuance.
兒 (ér) is often used in informal contexts, particularly in spoken Mandarin. A common mistake is to confuse it with the character 子 (zǐ), which also means 'child' but is more formal and often used in compound words. Be mindful of the tone; 兒 is pronounced with a rising tone (ér).
While 兒 (ér) is not directly included in HSK levels, it connects well with Level 2 vocabulary focusing on family and relationships. Students should practice using it in sentences about family members to reinforce its meaning.
Learners often confuse 兒 (ér) with similar characters like 子 (zǐ). For example, saying '我有一个子' instead of '我有一个兒' (wǒ yǒu yī gè ér) to mean 'I have a child' is incorrect; use 兒 instead.
Pronunciation of 兒
Drill the tone of 兒 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 兒
Simplified form of 兒. Pictograph of a child with an opening in the top of its head. Represents the soft spot (fontanel) at the top of young infant heads.
son
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 兒
Simplified form of 兒. Pictograph of a child with an opening in the top of its head. Represents the soft spot (fontanel) at the top of young infant heads.
- 1The meaning half儿 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half儿 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayson
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 兒? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 兒?
Decomposition of 兒
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 兒?
How to say son, child in Chinese
“son, child” in Chinese is兒
The character 兒 (ér) primarily means 'son' or 'child' and is often used to refer to a younger person or offspring in a familial context. It can also denote a diminutive form of nouns, implying affection or endearment. This character appears frequently in various compound words and phrases related to children or childhood.
When to use 兒
兒 (ér) is often used in informal contexts, particularly in spoken Mandarin. A common mistake is to confuse it with the character 子 (zǐ), which also means 'child' but is more formal and often used in compound words. Be mindful of the tone; 兒 is pronounced with a rising tone (ér).
兒 or something close to it
儿 (ér) vs 孩 (hái) — use 兒 (ér) for familial affection or diminutive, while 孩 (hái) is more neutral, referring to a child without the endearing nuance.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 兒 (ér) with similar characters like 子 (zǐ). For example, saying '我有一个子' instead of '我有一个兒' (wǒ yǒu yī gè ér) to mean 'I have a child' is incorrect; use 兒 instead.
Write 兒
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 兒 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Cultural Notes for 兒
In Western cultures, the term 'child' can imply a more independent identity, whereas 兒 (ér) often emphasizes the connection to family and the nurturing aspect of childhood in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 兒
Compound Meaning
What does 儿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 兒
No, 兒 can refer to any child, regardless of gender, though it carries a slightly more affectionate tone.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 兒?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.