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垫子 (diàn zi) — cushion; mat; pad

Definition

垫子 (diànzi) is the concrete noun for a cushion, mat, or pad — a physical object you sit on or place under things. The base form 垫 is the verb "to pad" and can also mean the same object, but 垫子 always names the thing itself.

noun
cushionmatpad
Measure word · 块

Examples

  • 。
    Wǒ zài shā fā shàng fàng le yí gè ruǎn diàn zi.
    I put a soft cushion on the sofa.
  • 垫子。
    Qǐng bǎ mén qián de diàn zi cā gān jìng.
    Please wipe the mat in front of the door clean.
  • 垫子。
    Zhè kuǎn shǔ biāo diàn zi hěn nài yòng.
    This mouse pad is very durable.

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.

垫diànpad; put underneath
子zǐsuffix

“垫” contributes the sense of padding or something placed underneath, and “子” completes the everyday word for a mat or cushion.

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 墊; 垫 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
執
執zhí墊diàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 墊 pairs 土, showing earth, with 執, providing the sound; this is about 墊, not the simplified 垫.

Open 垫 →

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
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Furniture

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