入耳 (rù ěr) — pleasant to the ear (often used in negative constructions); to accept or heed (advice, criticism)

Definition

入耳 (rù ěr) is an adjective used almost entirely in 不入耳 ('unpleasant to the ear') for harsh or vulgar talk, or as 句句入耳 to mean 'every word heeded'. It is not a neutral way to say 'pleasant-sounding'.

adjective
pleasant to the ear (often used in negative constructions)to accept or heed (advice, criticism)

Examples

  • 入耳。
    Nà xiē cū sú de huà zhēn bú rù ěr.
    That vulgar talk is really unpleasant to hear.
  • 入耳，。
    Lǎo shī de huà jù jù rù ěr, xué shēng men dōu jì zài xīn lǐ.
    Every word the teacher said was heeded, and the students all kept it in their hearts.
  • ，入耳，。
    Tā de huà suī rán bù hǎo tīng, dàn shì jù jù rù ěr, zhí dé sī kǎo.
    His words, though not pleasant to hear, are every word worth heeding and thinking about.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

入rùenter
耳ěrear

“入” enter + “耳” ear gives entering the ear, pleasant to listen to.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

入 is drawn as an arrowhead, indicating 'to enter'.

Open 入 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

耳 is drawn as a picture of an ear.

Open 耳 →

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