耳朵

• Pinyin: ěr duo
• Hanzi breakdown: 耳 = pictograph of an ear; 朵 = suffix (also used as measure word for flowers)

Meaning

Ear; ears. The organ of hearing.

Refers to the physical ear. Also used in expressions about listening, obedience, and being receptive to information. Can appear in idioms about eavesdropping or being gullible.

Examples

1. 他的耳朵很灵，隔着墙都能听到我们说话。 He has sharp ears — he can hear us talking through the wall.
2. 这首歌听了一整天，耳朵都快起茧子了。 I've been listening to this song all day; my ears are about to grow calluses.
3. 医生检查了一下她的耳朵，说没什么问题。 The doctor examined her ears and said there was nothing wrong.

Usage Guide

Context: body, everyday, medical

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你的耳朵怎么红了？(Why are your ears red?)
• 把耳朵凑过来，我告诉你一个秘密。(Bring your ear closer — I'll tell you a secret.)

Don't Say

• 我有两个耳朵 (While grammatically correct, using 两个 sounds odd — just say 耳朵 or 两只耳朵 with the proper measure word 只)

Origin & History

Compound of 耳 (ear) with the diminutive/noun suffix 朵, making it the standard colloquial term for ear.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal