尔
thus; so; like that; you; thou
Closest English meanings
you (archaic)·thus·(simplified of 爾)
The Calligrapher — Yán Zhēnqīng 颜真卿
Tang master of robust regular script; co-creator of the enduring 'Yan style'.
Tang calligrapher (709–784), master of regular script/running script — the Tang moral paragon whose upright, muscular regular script became the model of Chinese integrity in writing. Tang dynasty
Cultural Story
尔 is the ancient you, softened from 爾. The Analects has Confucius say 尔 — you — to disciples, and 尔后 (thereafter) marked what followed. A rare smile was 莞尔, and 尔等 (you all) addressed a group. Its use faded to literary and colloquial particles like 偶尔 (occasionally) that survive in speech.
Common words & phrases
- 偶尔 occasionally · once in a while
- 尔等 you all
- 尔后 thereafter · henceforth
- 莞尔 smile
Read the story behind the character
You 偶尔 (occasionally) text an old friend, and 尔后 (thereafter) life drifts on. We laugh at 莞尔 (a smile) in a candid photo, and history dramas use 尔等 (you all) for royal scolding. The character mostly hides inside modern words now, a fossil of the old you that still warms a sentence.
Own this character
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