Which Chinese characters are pronounced ai?

This page lists 30 dictionary entries with the base pinyin syllable ai, organized by their tone-marked pronunciation.

Do all ai characters have the same tone?

No. Characters can share the base syllable ai while using different Mandarin tones. The tone-marked pinyin beside each character shows the difference.

How can I practice writing ai characters?

Open any character for animated stroke order, or send the character set to the free worksheet generator for printable Tianzige or Mizige practice.

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PINYIN SYLLABLE

Chinese characters with Pinyin ai

Learn how to write 30 Chinese characters pronounced “ai” across 4 tone-marked pronunciations. Open any character for animated stroke order, words, sentences, and printable practice.

ái4 ài15 ǎi6 āi5

START WITH COMMON CHARACTERS

Common “ai” Chinese characters

The same romanized syllable can represent different characters and tones. These useful HSK vocabulary characters are shown first so learners can begin with everyday Mandarin.

爱ài

to love; to be fond of; to like

HSK 1Learn →

矮ǎi

(of a person) short

HSK 3Learn →

哎āi

hey!

HSK 5Learn →

唉ài

interjection or grunt of agreement or recognition (e.g. yes, it's me!)

HSK 5Learn →

碍ài

to hinder

HSK 6Learn →

艾ài

Chinese mugwort or wormwood

HSK 7–9Learn →

哀āi

sorrow; grief; pity

HSK 7–9Learn →

挨āi

to suffer; to endure

HSK 7–9Learn →

隘ài

(bound form) narrow

HSK 7–9Learn →

暧ài

(of daylight) dim

HSK 7–9Learn →

蔼ǎi

friendly

HSK 7–9Learn →

癌ái

cancer

HSK 7–9Learn →

TONE-MARKED PINYIN

Chinese characters pronounced ái

4 dictionary entries use the pronunciation ái, including 癌 (cancer), 捱 (Chinese character), 皑 ((literary) white as snow), 皚 (Chinese character).

4 characters

癌ái

cancer

17 strokes View →

捱ái

Chinese character

11 strokes View →

皑ái

(literary) white as snow

11 strokes View →

皚ái

Chinese character

15 strokes View →

Create a ái character worksheet →

TONE-MARKED PINYIN

Chinese characters pronounced ài

15 dictionary entries use the pronunciation ài, including 爱 (to love; to be fond of; to like), 唉 (interjection or grunt of agreement or recognition (e.g. yes, it's me!)), 碍 (to hinder), 艾 (Chinese mugwort or wormwood), 隘 ((bound form) narrow).

15 characters

爱ài

to love; to be fond of; to like

10 strokes View →

唉ài

interjection or grunt of agreement or recognition (e.g. yes, it's me!)

10 strokes View →

碍ài

to hinder

13 strokes View →

艾ài

Chinese mugwort or wormwood

5 strokes View →

隘ài

(bound form) narrow

12 strokes View →

暧ài

(of daylight) dim

14 strokes View →

砹ài

astatine (chemistry)

10 strokes View →

嗌ài

(literary) to choke; to have a blockage in the throat

13 strokes View →

嗳ài

to belch

13 strokes View →

嫒ài

used in 令嬡|令嫒[ling4ai4]

13 strokes View →

愛ài

Chinese character

13 strokes View →

瑷ài

fine quality jade

14 strokes View →

曖ài

Chinese character

17 strokes View →

璦ài

Chinese character

17 strokes View →

礙ài

Chinese character

19 strokes View →

Create a ài character worksheet →

TONE-MARKED PINYIN

Chinese characters pronounced ǎi

6 dictionary entries use the pronunciation ǎi, including 矮 ((of a person) short), 蔼 (friendly), 欸 ((indicating response)), 噯 (Chinese character), 霭 (mist).

6 characters

矮ǎi

(of a person) short

13 strokes View →

蔼ǎi

friendly

14 strokes View →

欸ǎi

(indicating response)

11 strokes View →

噯ǎi

Chinese character

16 strokes View →

霭ǎi

mist

19 strokes View →

藹ǎi

Chinese character

20 strokes View →

Create a ǎi character worksheet →

TONE-MARKED PINYIN

Chinese characters pronounced āi

5 dictionary entries use the pronunciation āi, including 哎 (hey!), 哀 (sorrow; grief; pity), 挨 (to suffer; to endure), 埃 (dust), 锿 (einsteinium (chemistry)).

5 characters

哎āi

hey!

8 strokes View →

哀āi

sorrow; grief; pity

9 strokes View →

挨āi

to suffer; to endure

10 strokes View →

埃āi

dust