笔杆子 (bǐ gǎn zi) — shaft of a pen; pen (the physical object); (figurative) an effective writer; a skilled wordsmith

Definition

Literally 'pen shaft,' 笔杆子 refers to the physical pen but more often figuratively means 'a skilled writer' (e.g., 他是单位的笔杆子 = he's the go-to writer at his office).

noun
shaft of a penpen (the physical object)(figurative) an effective writera skilled wordsmith
Measure word · 支

Examples

  • 笔杆子，。
    Zhè zhī bǐ gǎn zi huài le, xū yào huàn yí gè xīn de.
    The shaft of this pen is broken; I need to replace it with a new one.
  • 笔杆子，。
    Tā shì wǒ men bào shè de yì zhī bǐ gǎn zi, wén zhāng xiě dé tè bié hǎo.
    He is a skilled writer at our newspaper; his articles are especially good.
  • 笔杆子。
    bǐ gǎn zi Hé qiāng gǎn zi yí yàng zhòng yào.
    The pen is as important as the sword.

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.

笔杆pen shaft
笔bǐpen杆gānshaft
偏正Modifier + head
子zǐsuffix

“笔” means pen and “杆” means shaft; “子” makes it the familiar name for a pen shaft.

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 筆; 笔 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
竹竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
聿
聿yù筆bǐ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The simplified 笔 is based on the traditional form 筆, which puts 竹 (bamboo) beside 聿 (writing brush). 聿 already meant the brush and supplied the sound; 竹 was added later to show it was made of bamboo.

Open 笔 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùtree
Sound part声符shēngfú
干
干gān杆gǎn
Same sound today

杆 pairs 木 (tree) with 干, which gives the sound. The 木 part shows the thing is made of wood.

Open 杆 →

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.