鸭子

• Pinyin: yā zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 鸭 = 甲 (phonetic) + 鸟 (bird); 子 = noun suffix

Meaning

Duck. A common domesticated waterfowl raised for meat and eggs.

One of the most commonly eaten poultry in China, especially in dishes like 北京烤鸭 (Peking roast duck). The word 鸭 alone also means duck, but 鸭子 is more colloquial. In slang, it can refer to a male prostitute, though this usage is crude.

Examples

1. 公园的湖里有很多野鸭子在游泳。 There are many wild ducks swimming in the park lake.
2. 妈妈买了一只鸭子准备炖汤喝。 Mom bought a duck to make soup.
3. 小孩子们喜欢在池塘边喂鸭子吃面包。 Children like to feed the ducks bread by the pond.

Usage Guide

Context: food, animals, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 这家店的烤鸭子特别好吃。(This restaurant's roast duck is especially delicious.)
• 鸭子在水里游得很快。(The duck swims very fast in the water.)

Don't Say

• 我吃了一个鸭子 (Use 只 as the measure word for ducks: 一只鸭子, not 一个鸭子)

Origin & History

Compound of 鸭 (duck) and the noun suffix 子. The character 鸭 combines 甲 (shell/first) as phonetic and 鸟 (bird).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal