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钳子 (qián zi) — pliers; forceps; tongs; clamp; tweezers

Definition

A general word for gripping/cutting hand tools — covers pliers, forceps, tweezers, tongs, and clamps. Measure word is 把; specific tool types are usually distinguished in context rather than by separate words.

noun
pliersforcepstongsclamptweezers
Measure word · 把

Examples

  • 钳子。
    Tā yòng qián zi jiǎn duàn le nà gēn tiě sī.
    He used pliers to cut that wire.
  • 钳子。
    Yī shēng yòng qián zi jiá chū le tā shǒu shàng de cì.
    The doctor used forceps to remove the splinter from his hand.
  • 钳子。
    Wǒ mǎi le yì bǎ qián zi yòng lái kǎo ròu.
    I bought a pair of tongs to use for grilling meat.

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.

钳qiángrip/clamp
子zǐtool-name ending

钳 contributes the idea of gripping, and 子 forms the name of the hand tool.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 钳 →

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
Miscellaneous Objects

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