袖子 (xiùzi) refers to the sleeve of a garment, commonly used to describe the part of clothing that covers the arms. It can denote various types of sleeves, from short to long, and is often used in fashion contexts. Understanding this term is essential for discussing clothing styles and conducting shopping conversations in Mandarin.
HSK 6, 16 strokes, Hard
xiùzi(xiu4zi5) T4
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May 27, 2026
袖子xiùzi(xiu4zi5)
袖子 (xiùzi) refers to the sleeve of a garment, commonly used to describe the part of clothing that covers the arms. It can denote various types of sleeves, from short to long, and is often used in fashion contexts. Understanding this term is essential for discussing clothing styles and conducting shopping conversations in Mandarin.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, clothing and its styles often reflect social status and personal identity, making 袖子 an important term for discussing traditional garments like the qipao, which features distinctive sleeve styles.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'shoe' (sounds like 'xiù') with a long 'sleeve' on it, as if the shoe is wearing a shirt. Visualize the shoe putting its arm through the sleeve (子) to keep warm. This vivid imagery links the sound 'xiù' with the meaning of 'sleeve'.
About 袖子
袖子Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 袖子
Podcast: 袖子
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AI Study Notes for 袖子
Quick Contrast
袖口 (xiùkǒu) vs 袖子 (xiùzi): use 袖子 when referring to the entire sleeve, while 袖口 specifically denotes the opening at the end of the sleeve.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'shoe' (sounds like 'xiù') with a long 'sleeve' on it, as if the shoe is wearing a shirt. Visualize the shoe putting its arm through the sleeve (子) to keep warm. This vivid imagery links the sound 'xiù' with the meaning of 'sleeve'.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 袖子 with similar-sounding words, as context can change meaning. It's an informal term and is commonly used in everyday conversation, especially in fashion discussions. A typical collocation is '衣服的袖子' (the sleeves of the clothes).
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 6, focus on using 袖子 in complex sentences and exploring its usage in fashion-related topics. This word connects with other clothing vocabulary like 衣服 (yīfú - clothes) and 裙子 (qúnzi - skirt), enhancing your ability to discuss attire in depth.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, clothing and its styles often reflect social status and personal identity, making 袖子 an important term for discussing traditional garments like the qipao, which features distinctive sleeve styles.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 袖子 with other clothing terms. For example, saying '裤子袖子' (kùzi xiùzi - pants sleeve) is incorrect, as pants do not have sleeves. Instead, use 袖子 specifically for shirts and similar garments.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 袖子
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Cultural Notes for 袖子
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, clothing and its styles often reflect social status and personal identity, making 袖子 an important term for discussing traditional garments like the qipao, which features distinctive sleeve styles.
Frequently Asked Questions about 袖子
It is pronounced as 'xiùzi', with the first syllable 'xiù' having a falling tone.
Yes, 袖子 can refer to the sleeves of any garment, including shirts, jackets, and dresses.
In Chinese, the plural is often implied; 袖子 can refer to both one sleeve and multiple sleeves without changing the word.
