乃 (nǎi)

to be; thus; so; therefore; then; only; thereupon

Etymology

Possibly depicts a woman standing sideways with her breasts protruding. Based on the original meaning "breast", now written as 奶. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“ 乃,曳詞之難也。象气之出難。,古文乃。,籀文乃。”

Original meaning

breast