Definition
耳根 literally means 'ear root' — the base of the earlobe where it attaches to the head. In Buddhist contexts, it refers to the ear as one of the six sense organs (六根) that can be a source of desire or sin. In everyday Chinese, you'll mostly encounter it in the expression 耳根软 ('soft-eared', easily influenced by what others say) and 耳根清净 ('ear-root pure and quiet', meaning no one is bothering you with chatter).
n.
base of the earlobe (the part where the ear attaches to the head)(Buddhism) the ear as a sense organone of the six roots of sensory experience
Examples
- ，耳根。Tā xǐhuan dài dà ěrhuán, ěr gēn dōu mó hóng le.She likes wearing big earrings, and the base of her earlobes have turned red from rubbing.
- 耳根，。Tā ěr gēn tài ruǎn, biérén shuō shénme tā dōu xìn.He's too easily influenced — he believes whatever others say.
- ，耳根。Háizi zhōngyú shuì le, wǒ kěyǐ qīngjìng yíxià ěr gēn le.The child finally fell asleep — now I can have some peace and quiet.
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