子

• 拼音: zi
• 汉字拆解: 子 = pictograph of a child with outstretched arms — originally 'child', now commonly a noun suffix

含义

A common noun suffix. Added to single-character nouns to form standard two-syllable words.

One of the most productive suffixes in Chinese. When added to a noun root, it creates common everyday words: 桌子 (table), 椅子 (chair), 杯子 (cup), 孩子 (child), 房子 (house). The suffix is pronounced with a neutral tone and does not carry its original meaning of 'child/son'. Some words require 子 to sound natural, while others are optional.

例句

1. 桌子上有三个杯子。
2. 孩子们在外面玩。
3. 我想买一把椅子。

用法指南

语境: everyday, grammar

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 桌子、椅子、杯子都是带子的词。(Table, chair, and cup are all words with the 子 suffix.)
• 请把房子打扫干净。(Please clean the house.)

错误说法

• 给每个名词都加子。(Don't add 子 to every noun — only certain nouns take this suffix, e.g. 书 not 书子)

起源与历史

Originally meant 'child' or 'son'. Over centuries, it grammaticalised into a diminutive noun suffix, losing its original meaning when attached to other words.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal