The Chinese character “乃” is a fascinating one, with multiple meanings that vary depending on the context. Let’s dive into its diverse applications:
Mandarin Pinyin: nǎi
Cantonese Jyutping: naai5
- Second-Person Pronoun: “乃” can be used as a second-person pronoun, equivalent to “you” or “your”. Examples include 「乃父」 (your father) and 「乃翁」 (your husband).
- To Be or Is: It can also mean “to be” or “is”. For instance, 「助人乃快樂之本。」 (Helping others is the foundation of happiness).
- Then, Therefore, or Only Then: “乃” is used to indicate a sequence of events or a result. Examples are 「事成乃回」 (only return after the task is completed) and 「時窮節乃見」 (one’s integrity is revealed in times of adversity).
- Unexpectedly: In some contexts, “乃” means “unexpectedly”. For example, 「事出意料，乃至於此。」 (Things turned out unexpectedly to this extent).
Understanding these various meanings can greatly enhance your appreciation and use of the character “乃” in different contexts.
