娄子 (lóu zǐ) — trouble, blunder, mishap (colloquial)

Definition

出娄子 (chū lóu zi) is a colloquial verb-object phrase meaning 'to get into trouble' or 'to make a blunder'. Used for mistakes that cause real trouble, not minor slip-ups.

noun
troubleblundermishap (colloquial)

Examples

  • 娄子。
    Zhè jiàn shì qiān wàn bié chū lóu zǐ.
    Don't let this matter cause any trouble.
  • 娄子。
    Tā gōng zuò shàng chū le lóu zǐ.
    He made a blunder at work.
  • ，。
    Zán men yào xiǎo xīn, miǎn de tǒng lóu zǐ.
    We should be careful to avoid causing trouble.

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.

娄lóutrouble
子zǐcommon noun ending

娄子 is a colloquial word for trouble or a blunder, with 子 giving it a familiar noun shape.

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 婁; 娄 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
爪爪zhuǎhands
女女nǚwoman
Sound part声符shēngfú
角
角jiǎo婁
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 婁 has 爪 (hands) and 女 (woman), with 角 used for the sound; its original meaning is uncertain. 娄 is a simplified form.

Open 娄 →

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 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.