岔子 (chà zi) — trouble, mishap, accident

Definition

Almost always used in the fixed phrase 出岔子 ('something goes wrong'). It refers to an unexpected mishap or hiccup, not serious disaster.

noun

troublemishapaccident

。
Zhè cì shí yàn qiān wàn bù néng chū chà zi.
This experiment absolutely cannot have any mishap.
，。
Tā zuǐ shàng bù shuō, xīn lǐ pà chū chà zi.
He didn't say it out loud, but he was afraid something would go wrong.
，。
Jì huà hěn zhōu mì, yīng gāi bú huì chū chà zi.
The plan is thorough; there shouldn't be any trouble.

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.

岔chàfork/mishap

岔 points to a fork or mistake, and 子 gives the everyday word for trouble.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

分山岔

岔 combines 分 (split; division) and 山 (mountain), showing a mountain divided into branches.

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