Pronunciation

Characters pronounced ai.

12 name characters share this pronunciation across tones. Pinyin alone does not identify a character; choose the Hanzi you want.

All 12 characters are listed below. Each links to its own page with meaning, structure, and names that use it.

爱 ài warm love, be fond of, like 碍 ài obstruct, hinder, block, deter 艾 ài artistic artemisia, mugwort 隘 ài narrow, confined; a strategic pass 癌 ái cancer; marmoset 哀 āi sad, mournful, pitiful; pity 哎 āi interjection of surprise 唉 āi alas, exclamation of surprise or pain 埃 āi fine dust, dirt 挨 āi near, close by, next to, towards, against; to wait; to lean on 矮 ǎi short, dwarf; low 蔼 ǎi warm lush; affable, friendly

Why several characters share one pinyin

Mandarin has many homophones. Tone narrows the sound, but different characters can still share the same syllable and tone. The Hanzi is the identity; the pinyin is only the sound.

Browse all name characters or use Search to look up a character by meaning.