壳子 (ké zi) — shell; casing; outer surface; exterior (as opposed to contents)

Definition

noun
shellcasingouter surfaceexterior (as opposed to contents)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 壳子。
    Zhè ge shǒu jī de ké zi hěn jiē shi.
    This phone case is very sturdy.
  • 壳子，。
    Jī dàn de ké zi hěn báo, yào xiǎo xīn ná.
    The eggshell is very thin, handle with care.
  • 壳子。
    Tā mǎi le yí gè xīn de diàn nǎo ké zi.
    He bought a new computer case.

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.

壳késhell
子zǐsuffix

"壳" names the shell, and "子" completes the everyday word for it.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 殼; 壳 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
几几jǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
㱿
㱿㱿殼ké(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 殼 is built from 几 (the meaning part) and 㱿 (the sound part); the simplified 壳 is a later shorthand.

Open 壳 →

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 →

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