子 zǐ
“son; child; seed”
measure word2021 list level 1
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
子 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 990: 子 zi — Level 3; official annotation 3 (后缀). PDF page 104
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 子
子 has two common readings. As zǐ it means 'son, child' and appears in words such as 子女 and 王子. As the neutral suffix zi it forms everyday nouns such as 桌子, 杯子, and 孩子; the HSK 3 item is this noun suffix zi, and it is not pronounced zǐ in those words.
例句Example sentences
- 桌子上有一杯水。zhuō zi shàng yǒu yì bēi shuǐ.There is a glass of water on the table.
- 这个孩子很安静。zhè ge hái zi hěn ān jìng.This child is very quiet.
- 王子住在很大的宫殿里。wáng zǐ zhù zài hěn dà de gōng diàn lǐ.The prince lives in a very large palace.
易混词Easily confused
子vs字
字 (zì) means 'character' or 'written word,' as in 汉字. 子 is either the neutral noun suffix in words like 桌子 or the full syllable zǐ meaning 'child/son' in words like 王子.
义项All meanings
- 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
- zi: (noun suffix)