凿子 (záo zǐ) — chisel | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

chisel

Measure word · 把

凿子。
Tā yòng záo zǐ zài mù tou shàng kè le yí gè tú àn.
He carved a pattern on the wood with a chisel.
凿子，。
Zhè bǎ záo zǐ hěn fēng lì, shì hé diāo kè.
This chisel is very sharp and suitable for carving.
凿子。
Qǐng bāng wǒ bǎ záo zǐ dì guò lái.
Please hand me the chisel.

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.

凿 gives the chisel sense, while 子 makes the familiar word for the tool.

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 鑿; 凿 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

金金jīnmetal

Sound part声符shēngfú

𥽿

𥽿𥽿鑿záo

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

The traditional form 鑿 combines 金, metal, with 𥽿, which gives the sound; the simplified 凿 is a different form.

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