Usage and Meaning
The character 乃 is a classical Chinese particle often used to mean "is", "thus", or "therefore". It frequently appears in literary or formal contexts rather than everyday speech. It can serve as a copula linking subject and predicate, or as a conjunction indicating a conclusion or result.
Common Collocations
- 乃至 (nǎizhì): "even to the extent of", used to emphasize inclusiveness or extent.
- 乃是 (nǎi shì): classical form of "is", emphasizing identity or definition.
Usage Notes
When used as a copula, 乃 often appears in classical or poetic texts and is more formal than 是. As a conjunction, it connects cause and effect or introduces a conclusion. It is rarely used in modern spoken Mandarin but appears in idioms, historical texts, and formal writing.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse 乃 with 乃至, which is a fixed phrase meaning "even to" or "up to". Also, 乃 is not interchangeable with 是 in everyday conversation due to its literary tone.