例子 (lì zi) — example; instance | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

例子 is a common, general word for a single 'example' used to explain or illustrate something. Unlike 案例 (a specific case, often legal or business) or 榜样 (a person to emulate), 例子 is neutral and everyday.

noun

exampleinstance

Measure word · 个

Examples

例子？
Nǐ néng gěi wǒ jǔ yí gè lì zi ma?
Can you give me an example?
例子。
Zhè ge lì zi shuō míng le tā de guān diǎn.
This example illustrates his point of view.
例子。
Lǎo shī jǔ le hěn duō lì zi.
The teacher gave many examples.

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.

例lìexample

例 gives the idea of an example; 子 completes the familiar word.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

亻列例

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rén

Sound part声符shēngfú

列

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

例 is built from 亻, which relates to people, and 列, which gives the sound.

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.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 4 Abstract Concepts 5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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