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毯子 (tǎn zi) — blanket

Definition

A blanket is a single layer you throw over yourself or drape on a sofa/bed. 被子 is a quilt — the thicker, stuffed bedding you sleep under, typically used with a 被套 cover.

noun
blanket
Measure word · 条, 张, 床, 面

Examples

  • ，毯子。
    Dōng tiān shuì jiào de shí hou, wǒ gài le liǎng tiáo tǎn zi.
    In winter when I sleep, I cover myself with two blankets.
  • 毯子。
    Shā fā shàng pù zhe yì chuáng tǎn zi.
    There is a blanket spread on the sofa.
  • 毯子。
    Zhè zhāng tǎn zi shì mā ma gěi wǒ zhī de.
    This blanket was knitted for me by my mom.

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.

毯tǎnblanket
子zǐthing

毯 denotes a blanket, and 子 turns it into the ordinary word for that object.

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
毛毛máo
Sound part声符shēngfú
炎
炎yán毯tǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

毯 pairs 毛, a meaning part, with 炎, a sound part.

Open 毯 →

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
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Home & Housing

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