Definition
耳 is a bound form (b.f.) meaning 'ear' or 'side/flanking'. It rarely appears alone in modern Chinese; instead it forms compounds like 耳朵 (ear), 耳机 (earphones), and 耳环 (earring). The 'side' sense appears in words like 耳房 (side room). As a bound form, it must be attached to another morpheme.
b.f.
ear (bound form, used in compounds)sideflanking (in compounds)
Examples
- 。Wǒ de ěrduo hěn téng.My ear hurts.
- 。Wǒ mǎi le yí fù xīn ěrjī.I bought a new pair of earphones.
- 。Tāmen yòng ěryǔ jiāoliú.They communicated in whispers.
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