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号子 (hào zi) — work song (sung by laborers to synchronize rhythm and effort)

Definition

号 (hào here read háo) is a rhythmic work song sung by laborers — haulers, rowers, builders — to keep pace and lift spirits. Don't confuse with 号 meaning 'number' or 'date'.

noun
work song (sung by laborers to synchronize rhythm and effort)
Measure word · 首

Examples

  • ，号子。
    Lǎo chuán fū men yì biān lā qiàn, yì biān hǎn zhe hào zi.
    The old boat trackers shouted work songs as they pulled the towline.
  • 号子，。
    Zhè shǒu hào zi jié zòu yǒu lì, gǔ wǔ rén xīn.
    This work song has a powerful rhythm that inspires people.
  • ，号子。
    Zài xiū jiàn cháng chéng shí, gōng rén men jiù shì yòng hào zi lái xié tiáo láo dòng.
    When building the Great Wall, workers used work songs to coordinate their labor.

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.

号hàomark/sign/signal
子zǐ

号 supplies the mark, sign, or signal sense, and 子 forms it into a thing that marks or signals.

Characters in this word

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

  • 口口kǒumouth
  • 丂丂kǎoexhaled air; a tiger's cry

The shape 号 comes from 口, a mouth, and 丂, exhaled air or a tiger's cry.

Open 号 →

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 →
Appears in
Music

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