式子 (shì zi) — posture, stance; formula, expression; (mathematical) equation

Definition

A single noun that covers three related ideas: a physical posture or stance, a chemical/mathematical formula, and an equation to solve. The meaning is fixed by context (tai chi, chemistry, math).

noun
posturestanceformulaexpression(mathematical) equation
Easily confused

Examples

  • 式子。
    Tā de tài jí quán shì zi hěn biāo zhǔn.
    His tai chi posture is very standard.
  • 式子。
    Zhè ge huà xué shì zi tài fù zá le.
    This chemical formula is too complex.
  • 式子。
    Qǐng jiě yí xià zhè dào shì zi.
    Please solve this equation.

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.

式shìformula
子zǐ

式 (formula) is paired with 子 to mean a formula or posture.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
工工gōngwork
Sound part声符shēngfú
弋
弋yì式shì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

式 pairs 工, meaning work, with 弋, which gives the sound.

Open 式 →

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 →

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