被子

• Pinyin: bèi zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 被 = 衤(clothing) + 皮 (skin, phonetic), meaning covering; 子 = noun suffix

Meaning

Quilt; comforter; duvet. A large, soft bed covering filled with padding for warmth.

An essential household item in China. 晒被子 (airing quilts in the sun) is a common domestic activity. Different from 毯子 (blanket), which is thinner. Chinese quilts traditionally have cotton filling.

Examples

1. 天冷了，妈妈给我换了一床厚被子。 It's getting cold, so Mom gave me a thick quilt.
2. 今天天气好，可以把被子拿出去晒晒。 The weather is nice today — we can take the quilt out to air in the sun.
3. 他一到冬天就喜欢躲在被子里不出来。 He likes to hide under the quilt and not come out in winter.

Usage Guide

Context: home, everyday, weather

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 今天该洗被子了。(It's time to wash the quilt today.)
• 这条被子又轻又暖和。(This quilt is both light and warm.)

Don't Say

• 一个被子 (Don't use 个 as the measure word for quilts — use 床 or 条: 一床被子 or 一条被子)

Origin & History

From 被 (covering) + 子 (noun suffix). 被 originally referred to any covering, later specialised to mean quilt.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal