Meaning of 影子
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- shadow
- reflection
- (fig.) hint
- indication
- influence
Measure word: 個|个
How to use 影子
影子 is the everyday word for a shadow, and it can also mean a reflection in water or a mirror. Figuratively it means a trace or hint of something, often in the negative. Example: 连个影子都没有。(Lián ge yǐngzi dōu méiyǒu.) There is not even a trace of it.
影 (yǐng) means shadow or image, and 子 (zi) is a common noun suffix, like in 桌子 (zhuōzi) and 杯子 (bēizi). Picture the image that follows you around as a little thing of its own: your 影子.
Common mistake: Learners often read 子 here with a full third tone as zǐ. In 影子 it is neutral tone, yǐngzi. Also, 影子 is a physical shadow, not a shaded area, so for "in the shade" say 阴凉处 (yīnliáng chù) or 树荫下 (shùyīn xià).
影子 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
影 yǐng · shadow · 15 strokes
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子 zi · noun suffix · 3 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 影子.
| 孩子 | háizi | child |
| 儿子 | érzi | son |
| 房子 | fángzi | house; building (single- or two-story) |
| 电影 | diànyǐng | movie; film |
| 桌子 | zhuōzi | table; desk |
| 杯子 | bēizi | cup; glass |
| 电影院 | diànyǐngyuàn | cinema; movie theater |
| 包子 | bāozi | baozi; bao (steamed stuffed bun) |
| 本子 | běnzi | book; notebook |
| 样子 | yàngzi | appearance; manner |
| 日子 | rìzi | day; a (calendar) date |
| 影响 | yǐngxiǎng | influence; effect |
Questions about 影子
What does 影子 mean?
影子 (yǐngzi) means "shadow; reflection" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 影子?
影子 is made of 2 characters: 影 (15 strokes), 子 (3 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 影子 an HSK word?
Yes. 影子 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 影子 related to 电影?
Both use 影 (yǐng), which carries the idea of an image or shadow. 电影 (diànyǐng) is literally an "electric image," meaning a movie, while 影子 is a shadow or reflection.
What does 没影子 or 连影子都没有 mean?
These phrases mean there is no sign of something at all. People use them when a person has not shown up or a plan has not started, for example 他连影子都没有 (tā lián yǐngzi dōu méiyǒu), "there is no sign of him."