阿 (ā) - A prefix used before kinship terms, names, or & also refers to a hill or mound.

阿Tone 1

ā ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 阝

安

阿 · ā

A prefix used before kinship terms, names, or titles to express familiarity or affection;

also refers to a hill or mound.

A prefix used before kinship terms, names, oralso refers to a hill or mound.

Usage highlights

A prefix for namesFatherMotherOlder brotherOlder sisterGrandma

Synonyms

  • 前缀— prefix (linguistic term)

Antonyms

  • 贬— disparage, belittle (antonym to the flattering sense)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He calls his father 'Dad' (阿爸).
  • That's my older brother (阿哥).
  • They live at the foot of the hill (山阿).

Collocations

  • A prefix for names(阿明)
  • Father(阿爸)
  • Mother(阿妈)
  • Older brother(阿哥)
  • Older sister(阿姐)
  • Grandma(阿婆)

Idioms

  • Flattering and fawning(阿谀奉承)
  • Being unyielding and unflattering(刚正不阿)
  • The Law of Moses(阿法)
  • Too many cooks spoil the broth(阿家阿翁)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used as an affectionate prefix in Southern Chinese dialects (e.g., Cantonese, Min) before names or kinship terms.
  • In ancient texts, it could refer to a large earthen mound or a winding mountain path.
  • The character also appears in transliterations of Sanskrit terms in Buddhist texts (e.g., 阿弥陀佛 - Amitābha).

FAQ