袜子

• Pinyin: wà zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 袜 = 衤(clothing) + 末 (end, phonetic); 子 = pictograph of a child (diminutive suffix)

Meaning

Socks; stockings; hosiery.

The general everyday term for any foot-covering garment, from ankle socks to knee-high stockings. 子 is a common diminutive/nominalising suffix. Specific types include 棉袜 (cotton socks), 丝袜 (silk stockings/tights), and 运动袜 (sports socks).

Examples

1. 他在抽屉里翻了半天，才找到一双配对的袜子。 He rummaged through the drawer for ages before finding a matching pair of socks.
2. 冬天穿厚一些的袜子，脚就不会那么容易冻着了。 Wearing thicker socks in winter means your feet won't get cold as easily.
3. 妈妈叮嘱他每天换洗袜子，保持个人卫生。 Mum reminded him to change his socks every day and maintain personal hygiene.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, shopping

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你的袜子穿反了。(You've put your socks on inside out.)
• 我需要买几双新袜子。(I need to buy a few pairs of new socks.)

Don't Say

• 避免在正式文章中用袜子 — 技术性或医学文章中用 足部防护 or 袜类 instead of the informal 袜子.

Origin & History

The character 袜 combines 衤(clothing radical) and 末 (end/tip, phonetic), suggesting a garment that covers the tips/extremities of the body. 子 is a diminutive/nominalising suffix.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal