二流子 (èr liú zǐ) — (slang, derogatory) loafer; bum; good-for-nothi…

Definition

A slang, insulting label for a lazy, idle person — a loafer or bum. Always derogatory; do not use it about yourself or casually.

noun

(slang, derogatory) loaferbumgood-for-nothing

Measure word · 个

，，二流子。
Tā zhěng tiān bù gàn huó, jiù zhī dào dào chù xián guàng, zhēn shì gè èr liú zǐ.
He doesn't work all day, just wanders around — he's a real bum.
二流子，。
Cūn lǐ nà xiē èr liú zǐ jù zài yì qǐ dǔ qián, ràng rén hěn tóu téng.
Those loafers in the village gather to gamble, which gives everyone a headache.
二流子，。
Tā yǐ qián shì gè èr liú zǐ, hòu lái zhǎo dào gōng zuò cái biàn hǎo.
He used to be a good-for-nothing, but only got better after finding a job.

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.

二流second-rate

偏正Modifier + head

二流 means second-rate, and 子 points to a person, a loafer.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

二 is drawn as two parallel strokes, where the number of strokes shows the amount.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

㐬

㐬㐬流liú

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

流 has 水, water, and 㐬, which gives the sound. The water part matches meanings such as flow.

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.