The word "板子" (bǎnzi) is a compound noun formed by combining the meaningful root "板" (bǎn), which means "board" or "plank," with the nominal suffix "子" (zi). In Mandarin Chinese, "子" is a very common suffix that, when attached to a noun, often creates a concrete, colloquial term, sometimes adding a sense of familiarity or specifying a common object. In this case, "板" provides the core semantic meaning related to a flat, rigid piece of material (like wood, metal, or a slate), while the suffix "子" completes it to form the everyday word for a flat board or, historically, a paddle used for corporal punishment. This morphological structure is typical for creating everyday concrete nouns in Chinese.