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段子 (duàn zǐ) — (modern slang) a joke, a funny story, a meme-like anecdote; (in traditional performance) a short piece of cross talk or storytelling that can be performed in one go

Definition

段子 means a short funny anecdote or internet meme-joke. Originally a cross talk / storytelling term, now mostly used online for any shareable joke or witty snippet.

noun
(modern slang) a jokea funny storya meme-like anecdote(in traditional performance) a short piece of cross talk or storytelling that can be performed in one go
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 段子，。
    Wǎng shàng yǒu hěn duō gǎo xiào de duàn zǐ, kàn le ràng rén xiào gè bù tíng.
    There are many funny jokes online that make people laugh nonstop.
  • 段子，。
    Zhè wèi xiàng sheng yǎn yuán de duàn zǐ hěn jīng cǎi, guān zhòng dōu gǔ zhǎng le.
    This cross talk performer's piece was wonderful; the audience all applauded.
  • 段子，。
    Tā jiǎng le yí gè guān yú kǎo shì de duàn zǐ, dà jiā dōu jué de hěn yǒu yì si.
    He told a joke about exams; everyone found it very interesting.

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.

段duànsection; piece
子zǐ

段 denotes a section or piece, and 子 completes the sense of a short piece, now a joke or anecdote.

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
殳殳shū
Sound part声符shēngfú
厂
厂chǎng段duàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

段's shape shows 殳 as a hammer breaking a stone, with fragments flying off.

Open 段 →

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
Communication & Speech

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