阿: when is it pronunced 'a' when is it pronunced 'e'?

Question

阿 sometimes pronounced 'a' sometimes pronounced 'e'.

I've noticed specific instances for both.

Are there any rules as to how to pronounce 阿 in different circumstances/contexts?

Answer 1

Yes, there are rules - it is not irregular at all.

The two different pronunciations of 阿 actually reflect different usages. The original Old Chinese pronunciation of ē is for using the character as a verb or noun, which is what the character 阿 originally meant. In contrast, the later pronunciation of ā emerged as a particle with completely different meanings.

Unfortunately most people have became unfamiliar with the older usage, so that the ē form is usually only seen in set phrases (成語).

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阿 ē

1. verb, meaning:

   • to pander to
   • to (unjustly) side with (someone in a dispute)

2. noun (archaic), meaning:

   • a hill
   • a (geographical) twist/turn
   • a building

3. A surname

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阿 ā

1. prefix for names or familial titles, originally meaningless but can carry connotations of:

   • familiarity
   • endearment

2. particle (archaic, superseded by 啊) indicating:

   • surprise
   • doubt

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As the above shows, the two different pronunciations do not overlap in their usage.

Answer 2

'e' is the older pronunciation and is used to reflect the older pronunciation in some particular words (usually more formal words), such as 阿胶 (ē jiāo, some animal gelatin), 阿房宫(ē páng gōng -- notice that 房 is pronounced páng instead of fáng), 阿谀奉承.

'a' is the modern and default pronunciation, used in translation of foreign names (e.g., Algebria - 阿尔及利亚) as well as some colloquial/informal addresses/names to express familiarity (e.g., 阿爸, 阿伯, 阿花)

You may treat 'e' as an irregular pronunciation and memorize irregular words.