骡子 (luó zi) — mule; (figurative) stubborn person

Definition

Literally 'mule'. The figurative sense 'stubborn person' is used in casual speech to tease someone who refuses to change their mind.

noun

mule(figurative) stubborn person

Measure word · 匹

骡子。
Nóng mín yòng luó zi lā huò.
The farmer uses a mule to pull goods.
骡子，。
Tā zhēn shì gè luó zi, zěn me quàn dōu bù tīng.
He's really a stubborn mule, no matter how you persuade him, he won't listen.
骡子。
luó zi De lì qi hěn dà.
Mules are very strong.

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.

骡 names the mule, and 子 completes the common word for the animal.

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 騾; 骡 is its simplified writing.

馬累騾

Meaning part形符xíngfú

馬馬mǎhorse

Sound part声符shēngfú

累

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

The traditional form 騾 pairs 馬 (horse) with 累, which gives the sound; the note is about 騾, not the simplified 骡.

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