zǐ
son
child
seed
egg
small thing
1st earthly branch: 11 p.m.-1 a.m., midnight, 11th solar month (7th December to 5th January), year of the Rat
Viscount, fourth of five orders of nobility 五等爵位[wu3 deng3 jue2 wei4]
ancient Chinese compass point: 0° (north)
diàn zǐ
electronic
electron (particle physics)
diàn zǐ yóu jiàn
email
CL:封[feng1],份[fen4]
tiě zi
card
invitation
message
(forum) post
quān zi
circle
ring
(social) circle
rì zi
day
a (calendar) date
days of one's life
yīn zǐ
factor
(genetic) trait
(math.) factor
divisor
pāi zi
beat (music)
paddle-shaped object (flyswatter etc)
racket (sports)
fǎ zi
way
method
Taiwan pr. [fa2 zi5]
fèn zǐ
members of a class or group
political elements (such as intellectuals or extremists)
part
fēn zǐ
molecule
(math) numerator of a fraction
jiā zi
clip
clamp
tongs
folder
wallet
fáng zi
house
building (single- or two-story)
apartment
room
CL:棟|栋[dong4],幢[zhuang4],座[zuo4],套[tao4]
yàng zi
appearance
manner
pattern
model
Měi zhì zǐ
Michiko, Japanese female given name
Empress Michiko of Japan (1934-)
qīn zǐ
parent and child
parent-child (relationship)
two successive generations
Bǎi hé zi
Yuriko, Japanese girl's given name, translates Christian name Lily
dàn zi
carrying pole and the loads on it
burden
task
responsibility
CL:副[fu4]
huǎng zi
shop sign
signboard
(fig.) pretense
mào zi
hat
cap
(fig.) label
bad name
CL:頂|顶[ding3]
bān zi
organized group
theatrical troupe
yī lǎn zi
all-inclusive
undiscriminating
jiān zi
best of its kind
cream of the crop
zǐ nǚ
children
sons and daughters
chì zǐ
newborn baby
the people (of a country)
jiào zǐ
to educate one's children
godson
lì zǐ
(elementary) particle
grain
zòng zi
glutinous rice and choice of filling wrapped in leaves and boiled
mǔ zǐ
mother and child
parent and subsidiary (companies)
principal and interest
lì zi
case
(for) instance
example
CL:個|个[ge4]
dài zǐ
belt
band
ribbon
strap
girdle
audio or video tape (informal)
dài zi
belt
band
ribbon
strap
girdle
(coll.) audio or video tape
yǐn zi
introduction
primer
opening words
Cháng zǐ
Chángzhì prefecture and county in Shānxī 山西
nán zǐ hàn
man (i.e. manly, masculine)
Mèng zǐ
Mencius (c. 372-c. 289 BC), Confucian philosopher second only to Confucius
book of the same name, one of the classics of Confucianism
gǎo zi
draft of a document
script
manuscript
mental plan
precedent
gǔ zi lǐ
what sb feels (or knows etc) in his bones (derog.)
private understanding between individuals (derog.)
gè zi
height
stature
build
size
Shí hé zǐ
Shixenze shehiri (Shixenze city) or Shíhézǐ subprefecture level city in north Xinjiang
chǐ zi
rule
ruler (measuring instrument)
CL:把[ba3]
zǐ dàn
bullet
CL:粒[li4],顆|颗[ke1],發|发[fa1]
qǐ zi
baking soda (used to leaven bread)
screwdriver
bottle opener
chí zi
pond
bathhouse pool
dance floor of a ballroom
(old) stalls (front rows in a theater)
Huì zi
Hui-zi also known as Hui Shi 惠施[Hui4 Shi1] (c. 370-310 BC), politician and philosopher of the School of Logicians 名家 [Ming2 jia1] during the Warring States Period (475-220 BC)
shēng zǐ
to give birth to a child or children
Zhū zi
Master Zhu, another name for Zhu Xi 朱熹
guāng zǐ
photon (particle physics)
yuán zǐ dàn
atom bomb
atomic bomb
A-bomb
xiē zi
wedge
peg
stopper
prologue (in some modern novels)
prologue or interlude in Yuan dynasty drama
sī shēng zǐ
illegitimate child (male)
bastard
love child
qié zi
eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)
aubergine
brinjal
Guinea squash
phonetic "cheese" (when being photographed)
equivalent of "say cheese"
Zhuāng zǐ
Zhuangzi (369-286 BC), Daoist author
Guǎn zǐ
Guanzi or Guan Zhong 管仲 (-645 BC), famous politician of Qi 齊國|齐国 of Spring and Autumn period
Guanzi, classical book containing writings of Guan Zhong and his school
guǎn zi
tube
pipe
drinking straw
CL:根[gen1]
fèn zi
one's share of a gift price
qǔ zi
poem for singing
tune
music
CL:支[zhi1]
biàn zi
plait
braid
pigtail
a mistake or shortcoming that may be exploited by an opponent
handle
CL:根[gen1],條|条[tiao2]
zhú zi
bamboo
CL:棵[ke1],支[zhi1],根[gen1]
kòng zi
gap
unoccupied space or time
fig. gap
loophole
diàn zǐ qín
electronic keyboard (music)
qí zǐ
chess piece
CL:個|个[ge4],顆|颗[ke1]
jiǎ zǐ
first year of the sixty-year cycle (where each year is numbered with one of the 10 heavenly stems 天干[tian1 gan1] and one of the 12 earthly branches 地支[di4 zhi1])
the sixty-year cycle
diào zi
tune
melody
tuning
cadence
intonation
(speech) tone
zhì zǐ
proton (positively charged nuclear particle)
a prince sent to be held as a hostage in a neighbouring state in ancient China
zǐ dì
child
the younger generation
dù zi
belly
abdomen
stomach
CL:個|个[ge4]
kǒu zi
hole
opening
cut
gap
gash
my husband or wife
classifier for people (used for indicating the number of people in a family etc)
precedent
jià zi
shelf
frame
stand
framework
airs
arrogance
Kǒng zǐ
Confucius (551-479 BC), Chinese thinker and social philosopher, also known as 孔夫子[Kong3 fu1 zi3]
yòu zi
pomelo (Citrus maxima or C. grandis)
shaddock
oriental grapefruit
lóng zi
cage
coop
basket
container
wǔ zǐ qí
five-in-a-row (game similar to tic-tac-toe)
Japanese: gomoku
gobang
běn zi
book
notebook
edition
CL:本[ben3]
Yáng zǐ jiāng
Changjiang 長江|长江 or Yangtze River
old name for Changjiang, especially lower reaches around Yangzhou 揚州|扬州
xiǎo huǒ zi
young man
young guy
lad
youngster
CL:個|个[ge4]
yǐng zi
shadow
reflection
(fig.) hint
indication
influence
CL:個|个[ge4]
bí zi
nose
CL:個|个[ge4],隻|只[zhi1]
àn zi
long table
counter
case
law case
legal case
judicial case
guò rì zi
to live one's life
to pass one's days
to get along
Sūn zǐ
Sun Tzu, also known as Sun Wu 孫武|孙武[Sun1 Wu3] (c. 500 BC, dates of birth and death uncertain), general, strategist and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period (700-475 BC), believed to be the author of the “Art of War” 孫子兵法|孙子兵法[Sun1 zi3 Bing1 fa3], one of the Seven Military Classics of ancient China 武經七書|武经七书[Wu3 jing1 Qi1 shu1]
bǎn zi
board
plank
bamboo or birch for corporal punishment
fèi zi
miliaria (type of skin disease)
prickly heat
sweat rash
miàn zi
outer surface
outside
honor
reputation
face (as in "losing face")
self-respect
feelings
(medicinal) powder
zhuō zi
table
desk
CL:張|张[zhang1],套[tao4]
jú zi
tangerine
CL:個|个[ge4],瓣[ban4]
tǎn zi
blanket
CL:條|条[tiao2],張|张[zhang1],床[chuang2],面[mian4]
nì zi
putty (same as 泥子)
frequent caller
hanger-on
shéng zi
cord
string
rope
CL:條|条[tiao2]
bēi zi
cup
glass
CL:個|个[ge4],支[zhi1],枝[zhi1]
sǎo zi
(coll.) older brother's wife
sister-in-law
CL:個|个[ge4]
zhèng zǐ
positron
also called 正電子|正电子[zheng4 dian4 zi3]
diǎn zi
spot
point
dot
speck
drop (of liquid)
droplet
point (of argument)
idea
crux
indication
pointer
Xún zǐ
Xun Zi or Hsun Tzu (c. 310-237 BC), Confucian philosopher and author of On learning 勸學|劝学
fàn zi
trafficker
dealer
monger
peddler
pán zi
tray
plate
dish
CL:個|个[ge4]
lè zi
fun
pleasure
laughing matter
juàn zi
test paper
examination paper
yā zi
duck
male prostitute (slang)
zhū zi
pearl
bead
CL:粒[li4],顆|颗[ke1]
chóng zi
insect
bug
worm
CL:條|条[tiao2],隻|只[zhi1]
gē zi
pigeon
dove
various birds of the family Columbidae
kù zi
trousers
pants
CL:條|条[tiao2]
hú zi
beard
mustache or whiskers
facial hair
CL:撮[zuo3],根[gen1]
(coll.) bandit
jìng zi
mirror
CL:面[mian4],個|个[ge4]
jūn zǐ
nobleman
person of noble character
bàng zi
stick
club
cudgel
maize (corn)
ear of maize
corncob
(derog.) Korean
tiān zǐ
the (rightful) emperor
"Son of Heaven" (traditional English translation)
shā zi
sand
grit
CL:粒[li4],把[ba3]
piān zi
film
movie
film reel
phonograph record
X-ray image
jiǎn zi
clippers
scissors
shears
CL:把[ba3]
dié zi
saucer
small dish
CL:盤|盘[pan2]
yuàn zi
courtyard
garden
yard
patio
CL:個|个[ge4]
(old) servant
Shuāng zǐ zuò
Gemini (constellation and sign of the zodiac)
mèi zi
(dialect) younger sister
girl
jiǎo zi
dumpling
pot-sticker
CL:個|个[ge4],隻|只[zhi1]
xiāng zi
suitcase
chest
box
case
trunk
CL:隻|只[zhi1],個|个[ge4]
Shī zǐ
Leo (star sign)
Shihtzu township in Pingtung County 屏東縣|屏东县[Ping2 dong1 Xian4], Taiwan
shī zi
lion
CL:隻|只[zhi1],頭|头[tou2]
xiǎo zi
(coll.) boy
(derog.) joker
guy
(despicable) fellow
kuài zi
chopsticks
CL:對|对[dui4],根[gen1],把[ba3],雙|双[shuang1]
làng zǐ
loafer
wastrel
prodigal son
gé zi
lattice
check (pattern of squares)
bāo zi
steamed stuffed bun
CL:個|个[ge4]
chē zi
car or other vehicle (bicycle, truck etc)
lǎo tóu zi
(coll.) old man
(said of an aging husband) my old man
hàn zǐ
man
fellow
husband (dialect)
lǎo zi
father
daddy
"I, your father" (in anger, or out of contempt)
I (used arrogantly or jocularly)
Lǎo Zǐ
Laozi or Lao-tze (c. 500 BC), Chinese philosopher, the founder of Taoism
the sacred book of Daoism, 道德經|道德经 by Laozi
dān zi
list of items
bill
form
bedsheet
gōng zǐ
son of an official
son of nobility
your son (honorific)
Xīng zǐ
Xingzi county in Jiujiang 九江, Jiangxi
fū zǐ
Master
(old form of address for teachers, scholars)
pedant
zhǔ zi
Master (term used by servant)
Your Majesty
operator (of machine)
jú zi
tangerine
also written 橘子
CL:個|个[ge4],瓣[ban4]
tán zi
jug (earthenware with a big belly and a small opening)
wà zi
socks
stockings
CL:隻|只[zhi1],對|对[dui4],雙|双[shuang1]
guǐ zi
devils
refers to 日本鬼子, wartime term insult for Japanese
yóu zǐ
person living or traveling far from home
qián zi
pliers
pincers
tongs
forceps
vise
clamp
claw (of a crab etc)
CL:把[ba3]
(dialect) earring
Shī zi zuò
Leo (constellation and sign of the zodiac)
tiáo zi
short note
slip of paper
stripe
(slang) cop
(old) prostitute
miáo zi
young successor
seedling
sapling
dà dù zi
pregnant
potbelly
big eater
yī xià zi
in a short while
all at once
all of a sudden
yī zhèn zi
a while
a spell
a short time
a burst
mú zi
mold
matrix
pattern or die
tào zi
sheath
case
cover
conventional method
cliché
trick
(coll.) condom
tān zi
booth
vendor's stall
organizational structure
scale of operations
diàn zǐ guǎn
valve (electronics)
vacuum tube
wù zǐ
twenty fifth year E1 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 2008 or 2068
zhī shi fèn zǐ
intellectual
intelligentsia
learned person
yǐn jūn zǐ
opium eater
drug addict
chain smoker
wàng zǐ chéng lóng
lit. to hope one's son becomes a dragon (idiom); fig. to long for one' s child to succeed in life
to have great hopes for one's offspring
to give one's child the best education as a career investment
tuán zi
dango (Japanese dumpling)
xiǎo cè zi
booklet
pamphlet
leaflet
information sheet
menu
CL:本[ben3]
Zhāng Zǐ yí
Zhang Ziyi (1979-), PRC actress
zhū zǐ
various sages
refers to the classical schools of thought, e.g. Confucianism 儒[ru2] represented by Confucius 孔子[Kong3 zi3] and Mencius 孟子[Meng4 zi3], Daoism 道[dao4] by Laozi 老子[Lao3 zi3] and Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[Zhuang1 zi3], Mohism 墨[mo4] by Mozi 墨子[Mo4 zi3], Legalism 法[fa3] by Sunzi 孫子|孙子[Sun1 zi3] and Han Feizi 韓非子|韩非子[Han2 Fei1 zi3], and numerous others
zhī zi
cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)
dà fēn zǐ
macromolecule (chemistry)
zhè zhèn zi
now
at present
at this juncture
dīng zi hù
householder who refuses to vacate his home despite pressure from property developers
diàn zǐ jǐng chá
traffic camera
speed camera
closed-circuit TV police surveillance
zǐ gōng jī liú
fibroid tumor of the uterus
hysteromyoma
Rì běn guǐ zi
Japanese devil (common term of abuse in wartime China and in subsequent writing)
shàng bèi zi
one's ancestors
past generations
a former incarnation
Kǒng fū zǐ
Confucius (551-479 BC), Chinese thinker and social philosopher, also known as 孔子[Kong3 zi3]
bái mǎ wáng zǐ
Prince Charming
knight in shining armor
gǒu qǐ zi
fruit of Chinese wolfberry (Lycium chinense)
diàn zǐ xìn xiāng
electronic mailbox
e-mail address
cái zǐ jiā rén
gifted scholar, beautiful lady (idiom)
pair of ideal lovers
zǐ gōng jǐng
cervix
neck of the uterus
Sūn zǐ Bīng Fǎ
”Art of War”, one of the Seven Military Classics of ancient China 武經七書|武经七书[Wǔ jīng Qī Shū], written by Sun Tzu 孫子|孙子[Sūn zǐ]
zǐ gōng sī
subsidiary company
subsidiary corporation
bāo jiǎo zi
to wrap jiaozi (dumplings or potstickers)
Yán huáng zǐ sūn
Descendants of the Fiery Emperor and Yellow Emperor (i.e. Han Chinese people)
hǔ zǐ
tiger cub
brave young man
duì zǐ
pair of antithetical phrases
antithetical couplet
Shī zi shān
Sierra Leone (Tw)
Shizishan or Lion Mountain
Shizishan district of Tongling city 銅陵市|铜陵市[Tong2 ling2 shi4], Anhui
Hè Zǐ zhēn
He Zizhen (1910-1984), Mao Zedong's third wife
Kǒng zǐ Xué yuàn
Confucius Institute, organization established internationally by the PRC, promoting Chinese language and culture
nī zi
(coll.) lass
(dialect) little girl
mào zi xì fǎ
hat trick (when one player scores three goals)
zuò yuè zi
to convalesce for a month following childbirth, following a special diet, and observing various taboos to protect the body from exposure to the "wind"
fāng zi
prescription (of medicine)
zǐ shí
11 pm-1 am (in the system of two-hour subdivisions used in former times)
Diàn zǐ Kē jì Dà xué
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Mò zǐ
Mozi (c. 470-391 BC), founder of the Mohist School 墨家[Mo4 jia1] of the Warring States Period (475-220 BC)
yuè zi
traditional one-month confinement period following childbirth
puerperium
Gān jǐng zi qū
Ganjingzi district of Dalian 大連市|大连市[Da4 lian2 shi4], Liaoning
wǔ zhuāng fèn zǐ
armed groups
fighters
gunmen
lǎo yàng zi
old situation
things as they were
Zhū zǐ Bǎi Jiā
Hundred Schools of Thought, generic term for the philosophical schools of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods (770-220BC)
qiáng zǐ
hadron (particle physics)
yào miàn zi
to save one's face
to stay on one's dignity
shì zi
formula
mathematical expression
bèi zǐ zhí wù
angiosperm (flowering plants with seed contained in a fruit)
jūn zǐ lán
scarlet kafir lily
Clivia miniata (botany)
zhī zi huā
cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)
Lóng zǐ
Lhünzê county, Tibetan: Lhun rtse rdzong, in Lhokha prefecture 山南地區|山南地区[Shan1 nan2 di4 qu1], Tibet
bāng zi
watchman's clapper
wooden clappers with bars of unequal length
háo zi
raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)
raccoon of North China, Korea and Japan (Japanese: tanuki)
also called 狸
gēng zǐ
thirty seventh year G1 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1960 or 2020
cf 庚子國變|庚子国变, the crisis year of 1900 involving the Boxer uprising and the eight nation military invasion
yuán zǐ bǐ
ballpoint pen
also written 圓珠筆|圆珠笔
gǎn zi
pole
stick
club
gang of bandits
shī zi tóu
lit. lion's head
pork meatballs
shū dāi zi
bookworm
pedant
bookish fool
diàn zi pán
USB flash drive
see also 閃存盤|闪存盘[shan3 cun2 pan2]
yǎn zhū zi
eyeball
fig. the apple of one's eye (i.e. favorite person)
chǎn zi
shovel
spade
trowel
spatula (kitchen utensil)
CL:把[ba3]
chǎng zi
(coll.) factory
mill
yard
depot
Pò zǐ
Pozi or Putzu city in Chiayi county 嘉義縣|嘉义县[Jiā yì xiàn], west Taiwan
Zǐ Lù
Zi Lu (542-480 BC), disciple of Confucius 孔夫子[Kong3 fu1 zi3], also known as Ji Lu 季路[Ji4 Lu4]
chén zǐ
official in feudal court
subject
bāng zi
outer (of cabbage etc)
upper (of a shoe)
(coll.) group
gang
jiàn zi
jianzi (Asian shuttlecock game)
Zǐ cháng
Zichang county in Yan'an 延安[Yan2 an1], Shaanxi
bài jiā zǐ
spendthrift
wastrel
prodigal
tí zǐ
to capture stones (in Go)
shī zi
louse (Pediculus humanus)
Tán zǐ
Tantzu township in Taichung county 臺中縣|台中县[Tai2 zhong1 xian4], Taiwan
guì zi shǒu
executioner
headsman
slaughterer
fig. indiscriminate murderer
zǐ dài
offspring
child's generation
tù sī zǐ
dodder (Cuscuta sinensis, a parasitic vine with seeds used in medicine)
gān zi
bamboo pole
CL:根[gen1],個|个[ge4]
xiāng fū jiào zǐ
to support one's husband and raise children
mothering skills
a woman's place is in the home (old view)
jiào zi
a sedan chair
a palanquin
a litter
shuāng zǐ yè
dicotyledon (plant family distinguished by two embryonic leaves, includes daisies, broadleaved trees, herbaceous plants)
wù rén zǐ dì
(of a lazy or incompetent teacher) to hamper students' progress
(of media) to propagate errors
to lead people astray
Huái nán zi
miscellany of writing from the Western Han (former Han)
Liè zǐ
Lie Zi, Daoist author, said to be early Warring States period 戰國|战国
Daoist text in eight chapters, said to be by Lie Zi, probably compiled during WeiJin times 魏晉|魏晋 (3rd century AD)
ài miàn zǐ
to save face
to worry about losing face
proud of one's reputation
sensitive about losing prestige
sense of propriety
fán fū sú zǐ
common people
ordinary folk
Shí hé zǐ shì
Shixenze shehiri (Shixenze city) or Shíhézǐ subprefecture level city in north Xinjiang
Hán Fēi zǐ
Han Feizi, book of Legalist Philosophy authored by Han Fei 韓非|韩非[Han2 Fei1] during the Warring States Period (475-220 BC)
wá zi
baby
small child
(arch.) slave among ethnic minorities
bǐng zǐ
thirteenth year C1 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1996 or 2056
rén zǐ
forty ninth year I1 of the 60 year cycle, e.g. 1972 or 2032
mǎ zi
bandit
brigand
gambling chip
see 馬桶|马桶
dàn zi
slingshot pellet
playing marbles
billiards
CL:粒[li4],顆|颗[ke1]
zuān kòng zi
lit. to drill a hole
to take advantage of a loophole
to exploit an advantage
to seize the opportunity (esp. to do sth bad)
Guó zǐ jiàn
Imperial College (or Academy), the highest educational body in imperial China
jí xìng zi
impetuous person
excitable person
bèi zǐ zhí wù mén
angiospermae (phylum of flowering plants with seed contained in a fruit)
chǔ zǐ xiù
first show
maiden appearance
Jiāng Zǐ yá
Jiang Ziya (c. 1100 BC, dates of birth and death unknown), partly mythical sage advisor to King Wen of Zhou 周文王[Zhou1 Wen2 wang2] and purported author of “Six Secret Strategic Teachings” 六韜|六韬[Liu4 tao1], one of the Seven Military Classics of ancient China 武經七書|武经七书[Wu3 jing1 Qi1 shu1]
hé zi
pasty (i.e. pastry stuffed with meat or vegetables)
suō zi
shuttle (textile)
cartridge clip
classifier for bullet clips and bursts of gunfire
zhèng rén jūn zi
upright gentleman
man of honor
niè zǐ
unfilial son
unworthy son
illegitimate son
concubine's son
zǐ yè
cotyledon (first embryonic leaf)
yáng guǐ zi
foreign devil
term of abuse for Westerners
dà yí zi
sister-in-law
wife's older sister
bào hái zi
to hold the baby in one's arms
wán kù zǐ dì
hedonistic son of rich parents
Xiǎo chí · Bǎi hé zi
KOIKE Yuriko (1952-), Japanese LDP politician, minister of defense during 2008
dào zi
rice (crop)
unhulled rice
shè lì zi
ashes after cremation
Buddhist relics (Sanskirt: sarira)
guó jì yuán zǐ néng jī gòu
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Yàn zǐ
Yanzi (-c 500 BC), famous statesman from Qi of the Warring States, also known as 晏婴, hero of book 晏子春秋
xiā zǐ
shrimp roe
shrimp eggs
shrimp
làng zǐ huí tóu
the return of a prodigal son (idiom)
zhēng diàn zi
positron (antiparticle of the electron)
zǐ shǔ
Year 1, year of the Rat (e.g. 2008)
Shèng zǐ
Holy Son
Jesus Christ
God the Son (in the Christian Trinity)
yìn zi
trace
impression (e.g. footprint)
abbr. of 印子錢|印子钱[yin4 zi5 qian2], usury
Dú shān zǐ
Dushanzi district (Uighur: Maytagh Rayoni) of Qaramay City 克拉瑪依市|克拉玛依市[Ke4 la1 ma3 yi1 shi4], Xinjiang
jí zi
anthology
selected writing
bù chéng yàng zi
shapeless
deformed
ruined
beyond recognition
(of a person) reduced to a shadow
yuán zi
kind of dumpling
sticky rice ball
huà xiá zi
phonograph or radio (old term)
chatterbox
talkative person
Fāng zǐ
Fangzi district of Weifang city 濰坊市|潍坊市[Wei2 fang1 shi4], Shandong
dài diàn lì zǐ
electrically charged particles
dǎ zhǒng liǎn chōng pàng zi
lit. to swell one's face up by slapping it to look imposing (idiom); to seek to impress by feigning more than one's abilities
rù zi
cotton-padded mattress
CL:床[chuang2]
tàn zi
intelligence gatherer
spy
detective
scout
sound (medical instrument)
long and narrow probing and sampling utensil
qī lí zǐ sàn
a family wrenched apart (idiom)
mò zǐ
mill
grain mill
millstone
jūn zi zhī jiāo
Friendship between gentlemen, insipid as water (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[Zhuāng zǐ]).
jì zǐ
youngest brother
a period of two or three months
shí shī zi
guardian lion, a lion statue traditionally placed at the entrance of Chinese imperial palaces, imperial tombs, temples etc
Luò tuo Xiáng zi
Camel Xiangzi, novel by Lao She 老舍
xiǎo jiù zi
(coll.) wife's younger brother
xǐ zi
Tetragnatha (long-jawed spider)
same as 蟢子
mén zi
door
doorman (old)
hanger-on of an aristocrat
social influence
pull
classifier for relatives, marriages etc
Tài zǐ gǎng
Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti
bìng yīn zi
cause of disease
pathogen
factor
tǔ bāo zi
country bumpkin
boor
unsophisticated country person (humble, applied to oneself)
burial mound
Zǐ Gòng
Zi Gong or Duanmu Ci 端木賜|端木赐[Duan1 mu4 Ci4] (520 BC-), disciple of Confucius
mán zi
barbarian
slave servant
(old) contemptuous term for people from southern China (used by northern Chinese people)
Tóng zǐ jūn
Scout (youth organization)
tóng zǐ jūn
child soldiers
juvenile militia
dài lǜ mào zi
a cuckold
to be cuckolded by one's wife
shù zǐ
bastard
commoner son of royalty
lì zǐ shù
beam of elementary particles
Wǔ Zǐ xū
Wu Zixu (-484 BC), powerful politician in Wu
famous as destitute refugee begging in Wu town, cf 吳市吹簫|吴市吹箫
bàn diào zi
dabbler
smatterer
tactless and impulsive person
jīn guī zǐ
scarab (Scarabeus sacer)
beetle
xié zhèn zǐ
harmonic oscillator (physics)
yú xiāng qié zi
"fish-flavored" eggplant in garlic sauce
zǐ chǒu
first two of the twelve earthly branches 十二地支
by ext., the earthly branches
zhé zi
folding notebook
accounts book
zǎo shēng guì zǐ
give birth to a son soon (propitiatory compliment to the newly-weds)
yuán zǐ liàng
atomic weight
atomic mass
Tán zǐ xiāng
Tantzu township in Taichung county 臺中縣|台中县[Tai2 zhong1 xian4], Taiwan
Pǐ zi Cài
Rowdy Cai (1969-), Taiwanese Internet writer
Zǐ zhōu
Zishou County in Yulin 榆林[Yu2 lin2], Shaanxi
yì zi bǎn
(PRC) fender (automotive)
kū bí zi
to snivel (usually humorous)
hùn zi
hoodlum
person unfit for society
guǒ zi lí
masked palm civet (Paguma larvata)
diàn zǐ shù jù jiāo huàn
electronic exchange of data
Mù Zǐ měi
Mu Zimei, Chinese celebrity
màn xìng zi
slow-tempered
phlegmatic
a slowcoach
luǒ zǐ zhí wù
gymnosperm (plants with seed contained in a cone)
jiǎo zi
one Jiao coin (Mao, one-tenth of yuan)
xiǎo duàn zi
short paragraph
news article
Dà xíng Qiáng zǐ Duì zhuàng Jī
Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland
shū zi
brother-in-law
husband's younger brother
shì zi
swab
cotton pad
smear (for medical test)
Pò zǐ shì
Pozi or Putzu city in Chiayi county 嘉義縣|嘉义县[Jiā yì xiàn], west Taiwan
mài guān zi
to keep listeners in suspense (in storytelling)
to keep people on tenterhooks
yè zi bǎn
(Taiwan) fender (automotive)
chū diǎn zi
to express an opinion
to offer advice
dōu quān zi
to encircle
to go around
to circle
to beat about the bush
Fāng zǐ qū
Fangzi district of Weifang city 濰坊市|潍坊市[Wei2 fang1 shi4], Shandong
jī běn lì zǐ
elementary particle (particle physics)
gǒu ná hào zi
lit. a dog who catches mice
to be meddlesome (idiom)
bǎi jià zǐ
put on airs
assume great airs
jié zi
knot (on a rope or string)
jià diàn zǐ
valency electron
outer shell of electrons
huā zi
beggar (old term)
same as 花子
láng zǐ yě xīn
ambition of wild wolves (idiom); rapacious designs
yáng diàn zǐ
positron
also called 正電子|正电子[zheng4 dian4 zi3]
Ōu zhōu hé zǐ yán jiū zhōng xīn
European center for nuclear research CERN, at Geneva
Xīng zǐ xiàn
Xingzi county in Jiujiang 九江, Jiangxi
gàng zi
thick bar
solid carrying pole
lóu zi
pavilion
variant of 婁子|娄子[lou2 zi5]
jūn zi zhī jiāo dàn rú shuǐ
A gentleman's friendship, insipid as water (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[Zhuāng zǐ]).
pà zi
kerchief
handkerchief
headscarf
kòu mào zi
to tag sb with unfair label
power word
kuàng zi
frame (of spectacles, small ornament etc)
mǎ zi
number (e.g. page or house number)
numeral (e.g. Arabic or Chinese numeral)
code sign
plus or minus sound
counter
chip (e.g. in gambling games)
price tag
ready cash at one's disposal (old)
zhě zi
pleat
fold
crease
wrinkle
yǒu liǎng xià zi
to have real skill
to know one's stuff
chà zi
branch road
setback
accident
hiccup
shì zi jiāo
pimento pepper (Capsicum spp.)
bell pepper
tiào fáng zi
hopscotch
to play hopscotch
guī ér zi
(coll.) bastard
son of a bitch
pá gé zi
(oral) to write (esp. for a living)
to spell out laboriously on squared paper
wú huàn zǐ
Sapindales
order of scented bushes and trees, includes citrus fruit and lychee
dān zǐ yè
monocotyledon (plant family distinguished by single embryonic leaf, includes grasses, orchids and lilies)
jiǎn zi
callus (patch or hardened skin)
corns (on feet)
also 趼子
Liáng zi hú
Liangzihu district of Ezhou city 鄂州市[E4 zhou1 shi4], Hubei
zhōng wēi zǐ
neutrino (particle physics)
also written 微中子[wei1 zhong1 zi3]
zuǐ zi
mouth
beak
spout
mouthpiece
guān mén dì zǐ
last disciple of a master
gǒu tuǐ zi
dog's leg
fig. one who follows a villain
henchman
hired thug
shěn zi
(coll.) father's younger brother's wife
aunt
páo zi
siberian roe deer
capreolus pygargus
gǎn yā zi shàng jià
lit. to drive a duck onto a perch (idiom)
fig. to push sb to do sth way beyond their ability
Gāo qiáo Liú měi zǐ
Takahashi Rumiko, Japanese manga artist
Shuāng tái zi
Shuangtai district of Panjin city 盤錦市|盘锦市, Liaoning
chū luàn zi
to go wrong
to get into trouble
lǎo mā zi
older female servant
amah
shuǎ zuǐ pí zi
to talk glibly
to talk big
to be all talk
Cháng zǐ xiàn
Changzhi county in Changzhi 長治|长治[Chang2 zhi4], Shanxi
Zǐ cháng xiàn
Zichang county in Yan'an 延安[Yan2 an1], Shaanxi
jiāng hú piàn zi
swindler
itinerant con-man
jì zǐ nǚ
stepchildren
adopted children
liǎn hóng bó zi cū
red in the face
extremely angry
Sì zǐ wáng qí
Siziwang banner or Dörvön-xüüxed khoshuu in Ulaanchab 烏蘭察布|乌兰察布[Wu1 lan2 cha2 bu4], Inner Mongolia
kuǎn zi
a sum of money
CL:筆|笔[bi3]
qiǎ bó zi
to squeeze the throat
(fig.) to have in a stranglehold
critical
jú zi zhī
orange juice
CL:瓶[ping2],杯[bei1],罐[guan4],盒[he2]
see also 橙汁[cheng2 zhi1]
bào zi
bearer of good news (esp. announcing success in imperial examinations)
Zǐ zhōu xiàn
Zishou county in Yúlín 榆林[Yú lín], Shǎnxī
tù zi bù chī wō biān cǎo
A rabbit doesn't eat the grass by its own burrow (idiom); One shouldn't do anything to harm one's neighbors.
bù rù hǔ xué , yān dé hǔ zǐ
How do you catch the tiger cub without entering the tiger's lair? (idiom); Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Zǐ Chǎn
Zi Chan (?-522 BC), statesman and philosopher during the Spring and Autumn period
Lóng zi hú
Longzihu district of Bengbu city 蚌埠市[Beng4 bu4 shi4], Anhui
duì duì zǐ
to supply the answering phrase
Hēi xiā zi dǎo
Bolshoi Ussuriisk Island in the Heilongjiang or Amur river, at mouth of the Ussuri River opposite Khabarovsk
Heixiazi (black blind man) Island
yāng zi
sapling
seedling
bud
baby animal
tái jiào zi
to carry sb in a sedan chair
flatter
sing praises
chóu zi
silk fabric
silk
CL:匹[pi3]
gōng zǐ gē r
pampered son of a wealthy family
zhàng zi
mosquito net
CL:頂|顶[ding3]
méi mao hú zi yī bǎ zhuā
careless
any-old-how, regardless of the specific task
Jī zǐ
Jizi, legendary sage from end of Shang dynasty (c. 1100 BC), said to have opposed the tyrant Zhòu 紂|纣 then ruled ancient Korea for Zhōu 周
Shuāng tái zi qū
Shuangtai district of Panjin city 盤錦市|盘锦市, Liaoning
hóng hú zi
band of mounted bandits in Manchuria (archaic)
bì zi
double-edged fine-toothed comb
grate
sā yā zi
(dialect) to rush off
to scamper off double-quick
to take to one's heels
to make oneself scarce
xiā zi mō xiàng
blind people touch an elephant (idiom, from Nirvana sutra 大般涅槃經|大般涅盘经[da4 ban1 Nie4 pan2 jing1]); fig. unable to see the big picture
to mistake the part for the whole
unable to see the wood for the trees
huí zhé gé zi
diffraction grating (physics)
xié tiān zǐ yǐ lìng zhū hóu
(expr.) hold the feudal overlord and you control his vassals
rào quān zi
to go around in circles
to make a detour
(fig.) to beat about the bush
duō zǐ duō fú
the more sons, the more happiness (idiom)
liǎng xià zi
a couple of times
to repeat the same
the same old trick
tricks of the trade
xī yǐn zi
attractor (math., dynamical systems)
Tài zǐ Dān
Prince Dan of Yan (-226 BC), commissioned the attempted assassination of King Ying Zheng of Qin 秦嬴政 (later the First Emperor 秦始皇) by Jing Ke 荆轲 in 227 BC
ài mín rú zǐ
to love the common people as one's own children (praise for a virtuous ruler)
Ài dé huá wáng zǐ dǎo
Prince Edward island, a province of Canada
Yàn zǐ chūn qiū
Tales of Yanzi, book describing the life and wisdom of Yanzi 晏子 (-c 500 BC), famous statesman from Qi of the Warring States
lóng shēng jiǔ zǐ
lit. the dragon has nine sons (idiom); fig. all kinds of characters
good and bad intermingled
It takes all sorts to make a world.
xuàn zi
large metal plate for making bean curd
metal pot for warming wine
Lóng zi hú qū
Longzihu district of Bengbu city 蚌埠市[Beng4 bu4 shi4], Anhui
xuàn zi
whirlwind somersault (in gymnastics or martial arts)
diàn zǐ xué xì
department of electronics
lì zǐ liú
stream of particles
particle flow
Chéng zi hé
Chengzihe district of Jixi city 雞西|鸡西[Ji1 xi1], Heilongjiang
nì zi
putty (used by plumbers and glaziers)
zhì zǐ shù
proton number in nucleus
atomic number
Shī zǐ xiāng
Shihtzu township in Pingtung County 屏東縣|屏东县[Ping2 dong1 Xian4], Taiwan
diàn zǐ céng
electron shell (in the atom)
tài zǐ tài bǎo
tutor to the crown prince (in imperial China)
èr dào fàn zi
middleman
buyer and seller
dà jiù zi
(coll.) wife's older brother
ròu bāo zǐ dǎ gǒu
what's gone can never come back
Wú zǐ
Wuzi, one of the Seven Military Classics of ancient China 武經七書|武经七书[Wu3 jing1 Qi1 shu1], written by Wu Qi 吳起|吴起[Wu2 Qi3]
liáng shàng jūn zǐ
lit. the gentleman on the roof beam
fig. a thief
yǒu qí fù bì yǒu qí zǐ
like father, like son (idiom)
èr lèng zi
stupid person
dolt
rash (slang)
Shī zi shān qū
Shizishan district of Tongling city 銅陵市|铜陵市[Tong2 ling2 shi4], Anhui
fǎn dòng fèn zǐ
reactionaries
reactionary elements
jiào huā zi
variant of 叫花子[jiao4 hua1 zi5]
shī miàn zi
to lose face
to be humiliated
kāi kǒu zi
a dike breaks
fig. to provide facilities (for evil deeds)
to open the floodgates
hǔ fù wú quǎn zǐ
lit. father a lion, son cannot be a dog (honorific); With a distinguished father such as you, the son is sure to do well.
like father, like son
Kǒng zi jiā yǔ
book of sayings of Confucius and his disciples, probably by third century forger Wang Su 王肅|王肃
Tài zǐ hé qū
Taizi district of Liaoyang city 遼陽市|辽阳市[Liao2 yang2 shi4], Liaoning
rào wān zi
lit. to go on a long detour
fig. to speak vaguely around the topic without getting to the point
to beat about the bush
běn chū zǐ wǔ xiàn
the first meridian
the prime meridian
zhá wán zi
croquettes
deep fried food balls
ruǎn dīng zi
lit. a soft nail
fig. a tactful retort or rejection
shí liu zǐ
pomegranate seeds
pomegranate arils
Làng kǎ zǐ
Nagarzê county, Tibetan: Sna dkar rtse rdzong, in Lhokha prefecture 山南地區|山南地区[Shan1 nan2 di4 qu1], Tibet
Niǎn zi shān
Nianzishan district of Qiqihar city 齊齊哈爾|齐齐哈尔[Qi2 qi2 ha1 er3], Heilongjiang
qiào biàn zi
(coll.) to die
to kick the bucket
bǎi yàng zi
to do sth for show
to keep up appearances
lǎo pó hái zi rè kàng tou
wife, kids and a warm bed (idiom)
the simple and good life
Shèng dé Tài zǐ
Prince Shōtoku Taiji (574-621), major Japanese statesman and reformer of the Asuka period 飛鳥時代|飞鸟时代[Fei1 niao3 Shi2 dai4], proponent of state Buddhism, portrayed as Buddhist saint
zǐ mǔ dàn
(military) cluster bomb
shrapnel
Liáng zi hú qū
Liangzihu district of Ezhou city 鄂州市[E4 zhou1 shi4], Hubei
ái bǎn zi
to suffer beating
fig. to be severely criticized
to take a hammering
tuō kù zi fàng pì
lit. to take off trousers to fart
fig. to do something absolutely unnecessary
fig. to make things too complicated
Chéng zi hé qū
Chengzihe district of Jixi city 雞西|鸡西[Ji1 xi1], Heilongjiang
jūn zǐ dòng kǒu bù dòng shǒu
a gentleman uses his mouth and not his fist
Dú shān zǐ qū
Dushanzi district (Uighur: Maytagh Rayoni) of Qaramay City 克拉瑪依市|克拉玛依市[Ke4 la1 ma3 yi1 shi4], Xinjiang
còu fèn zi
to pool resources (for a gift, project etc)
jīn líng zi
chinaberry (Melia azedarach)
zhēng miàn zi
to fight for a good reputation
líng zi
peacock feathers on an official's hat displaying his rank (traditional)
pheasant tail feathers on warriors' helmets (opera)
Niǎn zi shān qū
Nianzishan district of Qiqihar city 齊齊哈爾|齐齐哈尔[Qi2 qi2 ha1 er3], Heilongjiang
qīng zǐ
lepton (particle physics)
bàng zi miàn
maize cornflour
corn mush
polenta
māo kū hào zi
the cat weeps for the dead mouse (idiom); hypocritical pretence of condolence
crocodile tears
diào sǎng zi
voice training (for Chinese opera)
liáng jiā nǚ zǐ
woman from a respectable family
respectable woman
shuǎi kāi bǎng zi
to throw off inhibitions
to go all out
chū chà zi
to go wrong
to take a wrong turning
Dōng pō zhǒu zi
Dongpo pork shoulder, traditional dish said to have been created by Northern Song dynasty writer Su Dongpo 蘇東坡|苏东坡
xiāng zǐ lán
vanilla
Vanilla planifolia
ǎo zi
coat
jacket
short and lined coat or robe
bǎi huā jià zi
lit. to arrange a shelf of flowers
superficial display (idiom)
héng tiāo bí zi , shù tiāo yǎn
to pick on sth incessantly
to criticize right and left
Jiāng nán sì dà cái zǐ
Four great southern talents of the Ming, namely: Tang Bohu 唐伯虎, Zhu Zhishan 祝枝山, Wen Zhengming 文徵明|文征明 and Xu Zhenqing 徐禎卿|徐祯卿
kuǎ zi
person speaking with a foreign accent
xū zi
feelers (zoology)
tassel (botany)
gōng yīn zǐ
common factor
common divisor
wěi zi
tail
end
small change
odd sum remaining after large round number
èr guǐ zi
traitor
collaborator with the enemy
guǎn zi qián
pipe wrench
monkey wrench
wāi diǎn zi
illegal device
devious
crooked
Qié zi hé qū
Qiezihe district of Qitaihe city 七台河[Qi1 tai2 he2], Heilongjiang
qīng xiāng zi
feather cockscomb (Celosia argentea)
Yīng shǒu yíng zi kuàng qū
Yingshouyingzikuang district of Chengde city 承德市[Cheng2 de2 shi4], Hebei
yǐ zǐ zhī máo , gōng zǐ zhī dùn
lit. use sb's spear to attack his shield (idiom, derived from Han Feizi 韓非子|韩非子); turning a weapon against its owner
fig. to attack an opponent using his own devices
hoist with his own petard
dòng zuǐ pí zi
see 動嘴皮|动嘴皮[dong4 zui3 pi2]
Yān Tài zǐ Dān
Prince Dan of Yan (-226 BC), commissioned the attempted assassination of King Ying Zheng of Qin 秦嬴政 (later the First Emperor 秦始皇) by Jing Ke 荆轲 in 227 BC
dǎ gùn zi
to bludgeon
to hit with a big stick
liàng zǐ diàn dòng lì xué
quantum electrodynamics QED
gǔ tou jià zi
skeleton
skinny person
a mere skeleton
Fū zǐ zì dào
appearing to be praising others while actually praising yourself
one's criticism of others exposes one's own faults
yǐn jūn zi
recluse
hermit
used for homophone 癮君子|瘾君子, opium addict
dā jià zi
to put up scaffolding
to build a framework
to launch an enterprise
hóng bó zi
redneck (mildly disparaging term for poor white Americans, sim. hillbilly)
qiān zi
hammer drill for boring through rock
chòu jià zi
stinking pretension
to give oneself airs and offend others
hateful arrogance
wù xū liù jūn zǐ
the six gentlemen martyrs of the failed reform movement of 1898, executed in its aftermath, namely: Tan Sitong 譚嗣同|谭嗣同, Lin Xu 林旭, Yang Shenxiu 楊深秀|杨深秀, Liu Guangdi 劉光第|刘光第, Kang Guangren 康廣仁|康广仁 and Yang Rui 楊銳|杨锐
Làng kǎ zǐ xiàn
Nagarzê county, Tibetan: Sna dkar rtse rdzong, in Lhokha prefecture 山南地區|山南地区[Shan1 nan2 di4 qu1], Tibet
bǎi tān zi
to set up a stall
to maintain a large staff and organization
shuǎi xiù zi
to swing one's sleeve (in anger)
jū zi
young horse, ass or mule
foal
colt
filly
zhú tǒng dǎo dòu zi
to pour beans out of a bamboo tube
to come clean
to make a clean breast of things
zhāi mào zi
lit. to take off a hat
fig. to be cleared of an unfair charge
rehabilitation
yǎ zi
mute person
dumb person
(more commonly called 啞巴|哑巴[ya3 ba5])
kǎo shì juàn zi
see 考試卷|考试卷[kao3 shi4 juan4]
èr gān zi
hot-tempered
rash
hot-tempered person
diàn zǐ fú
electron volt (unit of energy used in particle physics, approximately 10^-19 Joules)
rén rén jūn zǐ
people of good will (idiom); charitable person
zhuàng qǐ dǎn zi
to proceed with sth even though scared
to put on a brave face
zhǒng zi dǎo
Tanegashima, Japanese Island off Kyushu, the Japanese space launch site
Lóng zǐ xiàn
Lhünzê county, Tibetan: Lhun rtse rdzong, in Lhokha prefecture 山南地區|山南地区[Shan1 nan2 di4 qu1], Tibet
Wèi Liáo zi
Wei Liaozi, one of the Seven Military Classics of ancient China 武經七書|武经七书[Wu3 jing1 Qi1 shu1], possibly written by Wei Liao 尉繚|尉缭[Wei4 Liao2] during the Warring States Period (475-220 BC)
mài miàn zi
to obsequiously bequeath favors on behalf of another
to give face to somebody by doing favors on their behalf
to curry favor for a third party
to intercede on another's behalf
mó zuǐ pí zi
to wear out the skin of one's teeth (idiom); pointlessly blather
to talk incessant nonsense
blah blah
bāng zǐ qiāng
a general term for local operas in Shangxi, Henan, Hebei, Shandong etc
the music of such operas
qiāng zi
thoracic cavity
intonation
accent
hēi xiāng zi
black box (aviation), (systems theory)
fǎn diàn zǐ
positron
also called 正電子|正电子[zheng4 dian4 zi3]
fān zi quán
Fanziquan - "Overturning Fist" - Martial Art
jiā rén cái zǐ
beautiful lady, gifted scholar (idiom)
pair of ideal lovers