竹子

• Pinyin: zhú zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 竹 = pictograph of bamboo leaves; 子 = child, noun suffix

Meaning

Bamboo. A tall, fast-growing grass with hollow woody stems, widely used in Chinese culture for construction, crafts, food, and as a cultural symbol.

In Chinese culture, bamboo symbolizes resilience, integrity, and modesty because it bends but does not break. It is one of the 'Four Gentlemen' in Chinese art alongside plum blossom, orchid, and chrysanthemum.

Examples

1. 熊猫最喜欢吃新鲜的竹子。 Pandas love to eat fresh bamboo.
2. 这把椅子是用竹子做的，又轻又结实。 This chair is made of bamboo — light yet sturdy.
3. 我们家后院种了几棵竹子，长得特别快。 We planted several bamboo plants in our backyard, and they grow really fast.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, culture, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 四川的竹子特别茂盛。(The bamboo in Sichuan is especially lush.)
• 竹子象征着坚韧和正直。(Bamboo symbolizes resilience and integrity.)

Don't Say

• 说'竹子树' (Don't call bamboo a 'tree' — 竹子 is technically a grass, not a tree)

Origin & History

竹 (bamboo) + 子 (noun suffix). 竹 is a pictograph depicting bamboo leaves hanging from stems.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal