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尺子 (chǐ zi) — ruler (measuring instrument)

Definition

尺子 is a concrete, everyday 'ruler' (the physical measuring tool). The related word 尺 is a unit of length or a more formal/classic term; 尺度 is the abstract 'standard / yardstick.'

noun
ruler (measuring instrument)
Measure word · 把

Examples

  • 尺子。
    Wǒ mǎi le yì bǎ chǐ zi.
    I bought a ruler.
  • 尺子。
    Qǐng yòng chǐ zi liáng yí xià zhè ge cháng dù.
    Please use a ruler to measure this length.
  • 尺子。
    Zhè bǎ chǐ zi shì lán sè de.
    This ruler is blue.

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.

尺chǐlength unit
子zǐnoun suffix

尺 gives the length idea, and 子 turns it into an object name.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape is thought to picture a hand with the thumb and middle finger spread apart, like a natural ruler for measuring length.

Open 尺 →

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 5HSK 2.0 Level 5

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