网子 (wǎng zǐ) — net; hairnet

Definition

Refers to a net of any kind — fishing net, fruit net, sports net — and also a hairnet. Covers everyday physical nets, while 网 (wǎng) more often means the internet or a figurative web.

noun
nethairnet
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 网子。
    Tā yòng wǎng zǐ bǔ yú.
    He uses a net to catch fish.
  • 网子。
    Tā dài le yí gè wǎng zǐ gù dìng tóu fa.
    She wore a hairnet to keep her hair in place.
  • 网子。
    Zhè ge wǎng zǐ yòng lái zhuāng shuǐ guǒ.
    This net is used to hold fruit.

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.

网wǎngnet
子zǐobject

The 网 gives the net meaning, and the 子 points to a concrete object made of netting.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 網; 网 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìrope
Sound part声符shēngfú
罔
罔wǎng網wǎng
Same sound today

The traditional form 網 pairs 糸 (rope) with 罔 to give the sound; the simplified 网 is a later shorthand.

Open 网 →

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.