稿子

• Pinyin: gǎo zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 稿 = 禾 (grain) + 高 (phonetic), originally straw then manuscript; 子 = diminutive suffix

Meaning

Manuscript; draft; script. Written material prepared for publication or presentation.

Used for various written drafts: 演讲稿子 (speech script), 新闻稿子 (news script), 文章稿子 (article draft). Related terms: 稿件 (more formal, for submissions), 草稿 (rough draft), 定稿 (final draft). Common in journalism, writing, and public speaking contexts.

Examples

1. 他花了整整一周时间准备这次演讲的稿子。 He spent an entire week preparing the script for this speech.
2. 编辑说这篇稿子需要大幅修改才能发表。 The editor said this manuscript needs major revisions before it can be published.
3. 主持人在节目开始前又看了一遍稿子。 The host looked over the script one more time before the show started.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, media, presentations

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 稿子写好了吗？(Is the script ready?)
• 把稿子发给我看看。(Send me the draft to take a look.)

Don't Say

• 把正式出版物叫稿子 (Don't call published works 稿子 — it's for drafts and manuscripts before publication)

Origin & History

Diminutive form of 稿 (manuscript, draft). 稿 combines 禾 (grain) with 高 (high, phonetic), originally referring to straw, then to writing materials.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal