Definitions
(particle)
one who (is)... [suffix after verb; adjective to indicate person]; person who does...
(particle)
-er; -ist [suffix forming nouns denoting people]
(particle)
that which was mentioned before [used after numbers or 前 (before) ; 后 (after), meaning the former; latter]
About
The character 者 originates from early Chinese writing, with its modern structure comprising the component 耂, a variant of 老 meaning 'old', combined with 日 meaning 'sun', though this compositional analysis likely arose from later reinterpretation rather than reflecting its initial formation. Etymologically, it functioned as a nominalizing particle in classical Chinese, attached to verbal or adjectival stems to form nouns indicating 'the one who' or 'that which'. Over centuries, its primary role gradually shifted from a flexible grammatical tool to a more fixed lexical suffix, consistently used to denote persons engaged in specific actions or possessing particular qualities, as evidenced in compounds like 作者 (author) or 旁观者 (bystander), marking a transition from syntactic utility to integral word-building element.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他是这本书的作者。
强者往往不怕困难。
旅行者喜欢探索新的地方。
如果读者有建议，请告诉我。
这位记者比那位更有经验。
作为研究者，她发表了许多论文。
成功者往往善于把握机会。
环保者的努力正改变着我们的世界。