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盆子 (pén zǐ) — (colloquial) basin; pot

Definition

Colloquial word for a shallow, open container (basin, pot) used for washing, holding, or carrying things. 盆 (pén) is the more standard/literary form; 盆子 is the everyday spoken version with the -子 suffix.

noun
(colloquial) basinpot
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 盆子。
    Tā bǎ cài fàng zài pén zǐ lǐ.
    He put the vegetables in the basin.
  • 盆子，。
    Zhè ge pén zǐ tài dà le, wǒ ná bú dòng.
    This basin is too big; I can't carry it.
  • 盆子。
    Tā yòng pén zǐ xǐ le hěn duō yī fu.
    She washed a lot of clothes using a basin.

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.

盆pénbasin
子zǐ

盆 names the basin, and 子 gives the familiar spoken feel.

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
皿皿mǐn
Sound part声符shēngfú
分
分fēn盆pén(r)
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

盆 pairs 分, which gives the sound, with 皿, a vessel, to indicate a basin or tub.

Open 盆 →

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
Kitchenware & Tableware

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