To give birth to, nourish, and raise a child.
A written Chinese character or word. A child (子) under a roof (宀) studying its first written symbols.
字
Common Usage & Traps
- 名字 — name
- 写字 — to write characters
- 汉字 — Chinese character
- 字 — character (as a noun)
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书字写字书 is not the natural verb for writing characters in modern Mandarin; use 写.
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一字一个字Modern Mandarin requires the measure word 个 when counting 字.
What is the difference between 字 and 子?
字 means 'written character'; 子 means 'child' or acts as a noun suffix.
字 (zì) is a noun meaning a written character or word. 子 (zǐ) means child or son, and it also appears as a suffix in many nouns such as 桌子 (table) and 孩子 (child). They look similar because 字 contains 子 under a roof, but their meanings and uses are distinct.
| Dimension | 字 | 子 |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | written character | child; noun suffix |
| Usage | standalone noun | bound form or suffix |
| Example | 写字 (write characters) | 孩子 (child) |
Do I need a measure word when counting 字?
Yes, use 个 when counting characters: 一个字 (one character).
In Mandarin, nouns typically require a measure word when counted. For 字, the general measure word 个 is used. So 'one character' is 一个字, not 一字. In fixed expressions or classical Chinese, 一字 may appear, but it is not standard in modern spoken Mandarin.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Counting | 一个字 | 一字 |
| Reason | Measure word required | Sounds incomplete or classical |
Appears in Stories 8 stories
Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.
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汉语是“说汉语”，也可以“听汉语”；但是中文是“读中文”，中文和 汉字 都是眼睛在看。
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我和他学说话，也学认 汉字 。
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我有很多 汉字 会认，但是不会写。
Before you read, try clapping the rhythm. This poem introduces the days of the week and a fun secret: Chinese has two names for Sunday, but no 'Week Seven'!
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星期天，星期日，两个 名字 都可以。
This short, soothing piece is about missing someone on a rainy night. The sentences are simple and repeat often, so you can practice reading while feeling the warm emotion.
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我看着电脑，写下了几个 字 ：小雨，我想你。
In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.
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B:“小明”是你儿子的 名字 ，但是不是“姓名”。
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
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这个 数字 是什么意思？
This playful rhyme helps you learn family words in Chinese. Practice saying who's who with simple questions and answers!
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人人爱学习，天天去学校，上午读读书，下午 写写字 。
Enjoy this simple story about a patient and a mysterious apple. It shows how a small act of kindness can make someone feel at home, and you'll learn key words for feelings and daily life.
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桌子上有老先生写的 字 ：“我的朋友，你天天都好！”
Ever noticed how similar Chinese words can be? This rhyme plays with place names and homophones, from schools to hotels, even throwing in Samsung's origin. A lighthearted way to boost your word power.
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五星大饭店，中国和中文，汉语和韩语， 汉字 和汉子。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
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