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长子 (zhǎng zǐ) — eldest son

Definition

长子 (zhǎngzǐ) is a formal term for the 'eldest son' of a family, emphasizing lineage and inheritance rather than daily family roles. In traditional contexts, the 长子 inherited the family estate.

noun
eldest son
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 长子。
    Tā shì jiā lǐ de zhǎng zǐ.
    He is the eldest son in the family.
  • 长子，。
    Zuò wéi zhǎng zǐ, tā xū yào zhào gù dì di mèi mei.
    As the eldest son, he needs to take care of his younger siblings.
  • ，长子。
    Zài gǔ dài, zhǎng zǐ tōng cháng jì chéng jiā yè.
    In ancient times, the eldest son usually inherited the family business.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

长chángeldest
子zǐson

长 means eldest and 子 means son or child; together they refer to the firstborn son.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 長; 长 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 長 pictures an old man with long hair. The simplified 长 is a later shorthand, so its strokes do not show that original picture.

Open 长 →

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
Family & Kinship

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