例子

The Chinese word 例子 (lìzi) means "example" or "instance". It is composed of two characters: 例 (lì), which means "example, instance, or case", and 子 (zi), which is a suffix that indicates a small or young thing. Together, the two characters mean "a small example" or "a single instance".The character 例 (lì) is derived from the oracle bone script, which is the earliest known form of Chinese writing. In the oracle bone script, the character 例 is depicted as a person holding a stick or a branch. This image is thought to represent the idea of "measuring" or "comparing", which is related to the meaning of "example".The character 子 (zi) is also derived from the oracle bone script. In the oracle bone script, the character 子 is depicted as a child or a young person. This image is thought to represent the idea of "smallness" or "youngness", which is related to the meaning of the suffix 子.The combination of the characters 例 and 子 to form the word 例子 (lìzi) is first attested in the Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE). The word 例子 was originally used to refer to a small or young example, but over time it came to be used more generally to refer to any example or instance.Today, the word 例子 is one of the most common words in the Chinese language. It is used in a wide variety of contexts, both formal and informal. It is an important word for HSK learners to know, as it is essential for understanding and communicating in Chinese.