Definition
子 (zi) is a noun suffix that attaches to verbs, adjectives, or other nouns to form a noun, often indicating a small object, tool, or a familiar person (e.g., 桌子 'table', 孩子 'child', 句子 'sentence'). It is different from the standalone word 子 (zǐ) meaning 'son' or 'child'.
suffix
(noun suffix) forms nouns from verbsadjectivesor other nounsoften indicates a small objecttoolor person
Easily confused
- 自zìsound-alike(preposition) from (indicating a starting point in space or time)
- 字zìsound-alikecharacter (Chinese character)
- 兹zīsound-alikethis (formal, literary)
- 紫zǐsound-alikepurple
- 籽zǐsound-alikeseed (of a plant)
Examples
- 。Zhuōzi shàng yǒu yì běn shū.There is a book on the table.
- 。Zhège háizi hěn cōngming.This child is very smart.
- 。Zhège jùzi hěn nán.This sentence is very difficult.
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