TongTong
Sign in

主子 (zhǔ zi) — master (of servants or subordinates); emperor; sovereign

Definition

Historically, the master a servant or pet belongs to; by extension, the emperor as the ultimate 'master' of all under heaven. Carries an old, feudal tone — not used in modern workplaces (use 老板 or 主人).

noun
master (of servants or subordinates)emperorsovereign
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 主子。
    Tā de zhǔ zi duì tā hěn yán lì.
    His master was very strict with him.
  • ，主子。
    Zài gǔ dài, pú rén bì xū tīng zhǔ zi de huà.
    In ancient times, servants had to obey their master's words.
  • 主子。
    Huáng dì shì tiān xià zuì dà de zhǔ zi.
    The emperor is the greatest master under heaven.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

主zhǔmaster
子zǐ

主 means master, and 子 is added to form the word 主子.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The old forms that became 主 showed a lamp or torch with a flame at the top; other forms showed wood on fire or a spirit tablet.

Open 主 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →
Appears in
Social Roles & Status

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.