半吊子
Chinese
edithalf; semi-; incomplete half; semi-; incomplete; (after a number) and a half |
to hang; to suspend | child; son; (noun suffix) child; son; (noun suffix); small thing; seed; egg; 1st earthly branch; 11 p.m.–1 a.m., midnight | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
trad. (半吊子/半弔子) | 半 | 吊/弔 | 子 | |
simp. (半吊子) | 半 | 吊 | 子 | |
Literally: “one who is half a diao”. |
Etymology
editIn ancient China, a diao (吊) was a thousand copper coins strung together. Half a diao (半吊) referred to five hundred coins, and became to be used metaphorically for someone who is deficient in skills or mental capacity. Compare 二百五 (èrbǎiwǔ).
Pronunciation
edit- Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese)+
- Hanyu Pinyin:
- Zhuyin: ㄅㄢˋ ㄉㄧㄠˋ ˙ㄗ
- Tongyong Pinyin: bàndiàozi̊h
- Wade–Giles: pan4-tiao4-tzŭ5
- Yale: bàn-dyàu-dz
- Gwoyeu Romatzyh: banndiaw.tzy
- Palladius: баньдяоцзы (banʹdjaoczy)
- Sinological IPA (key): /pän⁵¹⁻⁵³ ti̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹ d͡z̥z̩¹/
- (Standard Chinese)+
Noun
edit半吊子
- (figurative, colloquial, derogatory) one who lacks adequate knowledge or skills; dilettante; smatterer; dabbler
- (figurative, colloquial, derogatory) hot-headed or impulsive person; one who leaves tasks unfinished, or the tasks which are unfinished