被子 (bèi zi) — quilt | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

被子 is a quilt — the thick, padded bedding used for sleeping. Heavier and warmer than 毯子 (a thinner blanket); unrelated to 被, which marks the passive voice.

noun

quilt

Measure word · 床

Examples

被子。
Mā ma mǎi le yì chuáng xīn bèi zi.
Mom bought a new quilt.
，被子。
Tiān qì hǎo de shí hou, wǒ huì shài bèi zi.
When the weather is nice, I'll air the quilt.
，被子。
Shuì jiào qián, wǒ bǎ bèi zi pù hǎo.
Before sleeping, I spread out the quilt.

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.

子zǐsuffix

被 refers to a covering, and 子 attaches to form the word for quilt.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

衣衣yīclothing

Sound part声符shēngfú

皮

皮pí被bèi

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

被 pairs 衣 (clothing) with 皮, which gives the sound.

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

HSK 3.0 Level 5 HSK 2.0 Level 5 Everyday Objects

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