Definitions
(noun)
child; son
(noun)
small thing
(particle)
(noun suffix)
Etymology
Pictograph of a small child with its two arms waving.
About
The character 子 (zǐ) originated as a pictograph of an infant with its arms waving: a large head at the top, two outstretched arms in the middle, and a single stroke for the body below. Its primary meaning is 'offspring', children and direct descendants, and later extended to the seeds of plants and the young of animals. In classical Chinese, it became an honorific title for respected teachers and philosophers, such as 孔子 (Confucius). In modern spoken Chinese, it serves as a common, meaningless noun suffix to form two-syllable words.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个孩子很聪明。
我的儿子在上学。
请把书放在桌子上。
农民正在播种种子。
士兵小心地装填子弹。
水分子由两个氢原子组成。
现代手机使用电子支付。
量子物理学研究微观粒子行为。
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