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小子 (xiǎo zi) — (colloquial) boy, guy (neutral or affectionate); (derogatory) joker, despicable fellow

Definition

小子 (xiǎozi) is an informal, mildly rough 'kid' or 'guy' — affectionate when you say 那个小子, but insulting as a direct address (你这个小子 / 臭小子) like 'you rascal'.

noun
(colloquial) boyguy (neutral or affectionate)(derogatory) jokerdespicable fellow
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 小子。
    Nà ge xiǎo zi hěn cōng ming.
    That boy is very smart.
  • 小子，！
    Nǐ zhè ge xiǎo zi, bié piàn rén!
    You rascal, don't lie!
  • 小子，！
    Chòu xiǎo zi, yòu chí dào le!
    Damn kid, late again!

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.

小xiǎoyoung/small
子zǐperson-forming ending

小 contributes young or small, and 子 makes it a word for a boy or guy.

Characters in this word

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

  • 八八bāto divide; to separate
  • 丨丨gǔnsmall object

The shape of 小 comes from three small dots, later elongated into its strokes; the apparent parts 八 and 丨 are a later way of seeing it.

Open 小 →

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
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