子

• Pinyin: zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 子 = pictograph of a child with outstretched arms — originally 'child', now commonly a noun suffix

Meaning

A common noun suffix. Added to single-character nouns to form standard two-syllable words.

One of the most productive suffixes in Chinese. When added to a noun root, it creates common everyday words: 桌子 (table), 椅子 (chair), 杯子 (cup), 孩子 (child), 房子 (house). The suffix is pronounced with a neutral tone and does not carry its original meaning of 'child/son'. Some words require 子 to sound natural, while others are optional.

Examples

1. 桌子上有三个杯子。 There are three cups on the table.
2. 孩子们在外面玩。 The children are playing outside.
3. 我想买一把椅子。 I want to buy a chair.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, grammar

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 桌子、椅子、杯子都是带子的词。(Table, chair, and cup are all words with the 子 suffix.)
• 请把房子打扫干净。(Please clean the house.)

Don't Say

• 给每个名词都加子。(Don't add 子 to every noun — only certain nouns take this suffix, e.g. 书 not 书子)

Origin & History

Originally meant 'child' or 'son'. Over centuries, it grammaticalised into a diminutive noun suffix, losing its original meaning when attached to other words.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal