The word 脖子 (bózi), meaning "neck", is formed by combining the meaningful character 脖, which carries the core concept of the neck itself, with the character 子, which here functions not as a standalone word but as a common, neutral suffix. This suffix 子 is attached to signify a familiar, concrete object, softening the term and integrating it into the everyday flow of spoken language. Thus, the formation is essentially conceptual: a primary meaning-carrier (脖) is paired with a standard, spoken-language particle (子) to create a natural, colloquial noun for a body part.