瓷

• Pinyin: cí
• Hanzi breakdown: 瓷 = 次 (phonetic) + 瓦 (tile, pottery)

Meaning

Porcelain; china. A type of fine ceramic material known for its translucence and durability.

China is famous for inventing porcelain, and the English word 'china' for porcelain reflects this. The character appears in compounds like 瓷器 (porcelain ware) and 陶瓷 (ceramics). In Beijing slang, 瓷 means 'close friend' (铁瓷 = best buddy).

Examples

1. 景德镇的瓷享誉世界，被称为瓷都。 Jingdezhen's porcelain is world-renowned and the city is called the 'Porcelain Capital.
2. 这个花瓶是用上等青瓷烧制的，非常珍贵。 This vase is made from high-quality celadon porcelain and is very precious.
3. 家里那套瓷餐具是奶奶留下来的传家宝。 That porcelain dinnerware set at home is a family heirloom left by grandma.

Usage Guide

Context: material, crafts, cultural

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 这是真瓷还是仿瓷？(Is this real porcelain or imitation?)
• 小心点，瓷的东西容易碎。(Be careful — porcelain things break easily.)

Don't Say

• 这件衣服是瓷做的 (Porcelain isn't used for clothing — it's for vessels, tiles, and decorative objects)

Origin & History

Originally written differently, the character evolved to include 瓦 (tile/pottery) reflecting its ceramic nature. China's porcelain production dates back over a thousand years.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal