笛子 (dí zi) — bamboo flute | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

bamboo flute

Measure word · 管

笛子。
Tā mǎi le yì guǎn xīn dí zi.
He bought a new bamboo flute.
笛子。
dí zi De shēng yīn hěn qīng cuì.
The sound of the bamboo flute is very clear and crisp.
笛子。
Tā zhèng zài xué chuī dí zi.
She is learning to play the bamboo flute.

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.

笛 gives the flute, and 子 completes the name for the instrument.

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.

竹由笛

Meaning part形符xíngfú

竹竹zhúbamboo

Sound part声符shēngfú

由

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

笛 pairs 竹 (bamboo) with 由 as a sound part. The bamboo part shows the object is made of bamboo.

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.

Appears in