耶 (yé) - An interrogative or exclamatory final particle in Classical & also used in transliterations, notably for 'Jesus' and

耶Tone 2

yé ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical:

嬿一

耶 · yé

An interrogative or exclamatory final particle in Classical Chinese;

also used in transliterations, notably for 'Jesus' and in place names like Jerusalem.

An interrogative or exclamatory final particle in Classicalalso used in transliterations, notably for 'Jesus' and

Usage highlights

JesusJerusalemHallelujahIs it so?JudeaYale University

Synonyms

  • 乎— Classical Chinese interrogative particle
  • 欤— Classical Chinese interrogative or exclamatory particle

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Is it really so?(是耶非耶?)
  • Hallelujah (哈利路亚) is a religious exclamation.
  • Jerusalem (耶路撒冷) is a holy city.
  • Jesus (耶稣) is the central figure of Christianity.

Collocations

  • Jesus(耶稣)
  • Jerusalem(耶路撒冷)
  • Hallelujah(哈利路亚)
  • Is it so?(是耶?)
  • Judea(犹太)
  • Yale University(耶鲁大学)

Idioms

  • Is it so or not?(是耶非耶)
  • The rise and fall, is it the will of heaven?(兴亡耶，天命耶)
  • Is it a dream or reality?(梦耶真耶)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Frequently appears in classical Chinese texts as a question marker, giving a literary or archaic flavor.
  • Strongly associated with Christianity in modern Chinese due to its use in transliterating 'Jesus' and related terms.
  • Used in the names of Western institutions and places when transliterated into Chinese.

FAQ