HSK 7
乃
乃 (nǎi) - To be, namely (formal/literary)
Explanation
'乃' is a copula with a formal, literary and classical tone, equivalent to '是' (to be, namely) in modern Chinese. It is used for assertion or definition, e.g. '《红楼梦》乃古代小说的杰出代表' (Dream of the Red Chamber is an outstanding representative of ancient novels) or '失败乃成功之母' (failure is the mother of success). It is common in maxims and written text.
Examples
Learn “乃” effectively
The grammar point “乃” (乃 (nǎi) - To be, namely (formal/literary)) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.