Learn a Chinese Character - 阿

1. Character Basics

Radical: 阝 (mound)

Stroke Count: 8

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: ā (first tone)

3. Meaning

Used as a prefix to form terms of endearment or familiarity (e.g., 阿姨 - aunt, 阿哥 - elder brother).

4. Common Words

• 阿姨 (ā yí): aunt
• 阿拉 (ā lā): a colloquial term for "we" in some dialects
• 阿哥 (ā gē): elder brother (archaic)

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 阿 is primarily used as a prefix for names or terms, often indicating familiarity or respect.

6. Cultural Background

In many Chinese dialects, 阿 is used affectionately to precede someone’s name or title, such as 阿强 (Ah Qiang).

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Think of 阿 as a friendly prefix that makes names or terms more approachable.