Meanings of 子
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About 子
Podcast: 子
Podcast: 子
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AI Study Notes for 子
儿 (ér, child) — use 子 (zǐ) for formal or literary contexts, while 儿 (ér) is more colloquial.
Imagine a small child (子) with a seed (also 子) in their hand, representing new life and growth. The character looks like a child standing with arms outstretched, ready to embrace the world, just as a seed holds potential for growth.
Learners often confuse 子 with similar characters like 孩 (hái, child) or 童 (tóng, child/youth), which have different nuances. It is versatile and can be used in formal and informal contexts, but care should be taken with its tonal pronunciation to avoid miscommunication.
Although 子 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it is foundational due to its prevalence in family vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. Students at lower levels should focus on recognizing it in compound words like 孩子 (hái zǐ, child) and using it in simple sentences.
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'son' (子) is deeply intertwined with family lineage and ancestral respect, often emphasized in traditional values where having male offspring is particularly significant.
Learners often mistakenly use 子 as a standalone term for all children, whereas it specifically denotes sons or young children. For example, saying '我有三个子' (Wǒ yǒu sān gè zǐ) is incorrect; it should be '我有三个孩子' (Wǒ yǒu sān gè hái zǐ).
Pronunciation of 子
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Etymology of 子
Pictograph of a small child with its two arms outstretched.
A child in a wrap, with outstretched arms but bundled legs
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 子?
Decomposition of 子
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 子?
Write 子
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Practice writing 子 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 子
子 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 11 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
书在桌____上。
The book is on the table.
Common Confusions with 子
Different meanings with similar pronunciation.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "son"?
Example Sentences for 子 (10)
Cultural Notes for 子
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'son' (子) is deeply intertwined with family lineage and ancestral respect, often emphasized in traditional values where having male offspring is particularly significant.
Word Family of 子
Compound Meaning
What does 好 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 子
In the Chinese zodiac, 子 (zǐ) represents the year of the Rat and corresponds to the midnight hours. It is considered a time of new beginnings and is associated with intelligence and adaptability. People born in the year of the Rat are often thought to be resourceful and clever.