镊子 (niè zi) — tweezers | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

tweezers

Measure word · 把

镊子。
Tā yòng niè zi jiā qǐ le yì gēn xì zhēn.
He used tweezers to pick up a thin needle.
镊子。
Shí yàn shì lǐ xū yào gān jìng de niè zi.
The lab needs clean tweezers.
镊子。
Tā yòng niè zi qīng qīng qǔ chū le suì bō li.
She gently took out the broken glass with tweezers.

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.

镊niètweezers

镊 names the small gripping tool, and 子 is added to complete the everyday term.

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 鑷; 镊 is its simplified writing.

金聶鑷

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

聶

聶niè鑷niè

Same sound today

The traditional form 鑷 pairs 金, metal, with 聶, which gives the sound; the simplified 镊 is a later shorthand.

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.

Appears in