茧子 (jiǎn zi) — cocoon; callus (on skin)

Definition

Two unrelated meanings: the silk cocoon a silkworm spins, and the callus (hardened skin) on hands from manual work. Less common than 蚕茧 or 老茧 in writing.

noun
cocooncallus (on skin)

Examples

  • 茧子。
    Cán tǔ sī zuò chéng jiǎn zi.
    Silkworms spin silk to make cocoons.
  • 茧子。
    Tā shǒu shàng cháng le hěn duō jiǎn zi.
    He has many calluses on his hands.
  • 茧子。
    Jīng cháng gàn huó de rén shǒu shàng róng yì yǒu jiǎn zi.
    People who often do manual work easily get calluses on their hands.

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.

茧jiǎncocoon/callus
子zǐzi

茧 gives the idea of cocoon or callus, and 子 makes the everyday form.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 繭; 茧 is its simplified writing.

  • 糸糸mìsilk
  • 虫虫chónginsect
  • 黹黹zhǐneedlework

The traditional form 繭 combines 糸 (silk), 虫 (insect), and 黹 (needlework); the simplified 茧 is a later shorthand.

Open 茧 →

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 →

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