[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Abstract-Concepts \ #Sequence # 子 zǐ child; noun suffix ## Components [[了 le]] [[一 (yī)]] [[一 yī]] ## Meaning The character "子" originally referred to the concept of a child or offspring. However, its meaning has evolved over time, and now it can refer to various things depending on the context: 1. **Child**: Refers to a young offspring, son, or daughter. 2. **Unit of Measurement**: Used to denote a smaller part of something. For example, "手指" (shǒu zhǐ) means "finger," where "指" (zhǐ) means "finger" and "子" (zǐ) means a small part. 3. **Noun Suffix**: Used as a suffix to indicate the smaller or junior version of something. For example, "学生" (xuéshēng) means "student," where "生" (shēng) means "life" or "student," and "学" (xué) means "learn" or "study." 4. **Endearing Term**: It can be used affectionately to refer to someone younger or someone the speaker feels close to, similar to "dear" or "little" in English. For example: - "女子" (nǚ zǐ) means "girl" or "young woman." - "桌子" (zhuō zi) means "table," where "桌" (zhuō) means "table" and "子" (zǐ) means a small part or unit. Overall, "子" can be used as a stand-alone noun, a noun suffix, or a unit of measurement. ## History In ancient times, the character "子" depicted a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, with only its head and arms visible, waving its hands in the air. Originally, "子" represented a baby or infant. In oracle bone script and bronze inscriptions, there were two forms of the character. One form depicted a baby with its legs wrapped in swaddling clothes, leaving only its head and arms visible, and its hands waving in the air. The other form depicted a baby with a large head and some hair, with both feet raised high. Later, "子" was used to represent the first of the twelve Earthly Branches, used to indicate time. Nowadays, "子" exclusively refers to a son. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[子 zǐ - ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[子 zǐ - bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[子 zǐ - sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[子 zǐ - cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[子 zǐ - reg.svg]]