Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to a little boat with 船儿 (chuánr)

    Description & Modification
    Numbers & Quantity

    Explanation

    船儿 (chuánr) means "little boat" or "small boat," using the diminutive suffix 儿 to convey a sense of smallness or affection. It is a colloquial and poetic expression often found in songs, poems, and literary descriptions of waterside scenes. The base word 船 means "boat" or "ship."

    Examples

    • 湖面上有几只船儿在慢慢地飘着。

      Húmiàn shàng yǒu jǐ zhī chuánr zài mànmàn de piāozhe.

      There were a few boats drifting slowly on the surface of the lake.

    • 船儿轻轻地划过平静的水面。

      Chuánr qīngqīng de huáguò píngjìng de shuǐmiàn.

      The little boat glided gently across the calm water.

    • 远处的船儿越来越小，最后消失在雾中。

      Yuǎnchù de chuánr yuè lái yuè xiǎo, zuìhòu xiāoshī zài wù zhōng.

      The boat in the distance grew smaller and smaller, and finally disappeared into the mist.

    Referring to a little boat with 船儿 (chuánr) | Chinese Grammar