小辫子 (xiǎo biàn zǐ) — (figurative) vulnerable point, something that c…

Definition

Literally a short braid or pigtail. Figuratively, it means a 'handle' on someone — a past mistake or weakness others can use against you (抓住小辫子).

noun

(figurative) vulnerable point, something that can be used against one(literal) short braidpigtail (hairstyle)

Measure word · 根

小辫子。
Tā zǒng xǐ huan zhuā zhù bié rén de xiǎo biàn zǐ bú fàng.
He always likes to hold on to other people's vulnerabilities.
，小辫子。
Zuò shì yào xiǎo xīn, bié ràng rén zhuā zhù nǐ de xiǎo biàn zǐ.
Be careful when doing things; don't let others catch your vulnerable points.
小辫子。
Tā jīn tiān shū le yí gè xiǎo biàn zǐ.
She wore a little braid today.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

辫子

后缀Suffix

小 means small and 辫子 refers to a braid; a small braid is a pigtail, and figuratively a weak spot.

Characters in this word

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

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.

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

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.

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