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夹子 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
夹子jiāziclipHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, rank #13049, Very Hard
夹子jiāziclampHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, rank #13049, Very Hard
夹子jiāzitongsHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, rank #13049, Very Hard
夹子jiāzifolderHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, rank #13049, Very Hard
夹子jiāziwalletHSK 7, n, 9 strokes, rank #13049, Very Hard
jiāzi(jia1zi5)jia zi T1
  1. 1clip
  2. 2clamp
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March 24, 2026

夹子(夾子)jiāzi(jia1zi5)

夹子 (jiāzi) refers to a tool or object used to hold or secure items together. It is commonly used in various contexts, such as in cooking (like tongs), stationery (like a clip or folder), and even in finance (as in a wallet). The word conveys the core idea of clamping, holding, or securing things tightly.

Strokes9Frequency#13049DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, practical tools like 夹子 are commonly used in cooking, especially for dishes that require careful handling, such as dumplings or stir-fried vegetables. The emphasis on using appropriate tools reflects the value placed on efficiency and skill in Chinese culinary traditions.

Memory tip

Think of a '夹子' as a 'Jaws' that 'clamps' down on things. The character 夹 combines the radical for 'to press' (夹) and the component 子, which represents a small object. Visualize a pair of tongs gripping a delicious piece of food to remember its function.

Meanings of 夹子

jiāzi(jia1zi5)
1clip
2clamp
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 夹子

夹子Simplified
夾子Traditional
9Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13049Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 夹子

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Podcast: 夹子

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AI study notes for 夹子

Quick Contrast

夹子 (jiāzi) vs 夹板 (jiābǎn): use 夹子 for tools that hold items together, while 夹板 refers specifically to a clamping board or jig.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 夹子 with similar tools, such as using '剪刀' (scissors) when referring to a clip. This word is informal and widely used in everyday contexts. Remember the correct tone: the first syllable is pronounced with a high level tone (jia1) and the second with a rising tone (zi5).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 夹子 connects with other words related to tools and everyday items. Focus on its usage in different contexts, such as cooking or office supplies, and practice sentences to solidify understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 夹子 to refer to scissors, as in '我用夹子剪纸' (I use a clip to cut paper), which should be corrected to '我用剪刀剪纸' (I use scissors to cut paper). Additionally, confusing it with '夹克' (jacket) can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 夹子

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Component characters

夹jiāto press from either side
HSK 66 strokes一
View full entry
子zison
HSK 33 strokes子
View full entry

How to say clip in Chinese

“clip” in Chinese is夹子jiāzi

夹子 (jiāzi) refers to a tool or object used to hold or secure items together. It is commonly used in various contexts, such as in cooking (like tongs), stationery (like a clip or folder), and even in finance (as in a wallet). The word conveys the core idea of clamping, holding, or securing things tightly.

When to use 夹子

Common mistakes include confusing 夹子 with similar tools, such as using '剪刀' (scissors) when referring to a clip. This word is informal and widely used in everyday contexts. Remember the correct tone: the first syllable is pronounced with a high level tone (jia1) and the second with a rising tone (zi5).

夹子 or something close to it

夹子 (jiāzi) vs 夹板 (jiābǎn): use 夹子 for tools that hold items together, while 夹板 refers specifically to a clamping board or jig.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 夹子 to refer to scissors, as in '我用夹子剪纸' (I use a clip to cut paper), which should be corrected to '我用剪刀剪纸' (I use scissors to cut paper). Additionally, confusing it with '夹克' (jacket) can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 夹子

夹
子

Practice writing 夹子 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 夹子

夹子 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

被____夹住腿的狐狸

a fox with its leg in a trap

Example sentences for 夹子 (1)

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1
被夹子夹住腿的狐狸

bèi jiāzi jiā zhù tuǐ de húli

a fox with its leg in a trap
Exercise 1 of 1

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Rebuild it: “a fox with its leg in a trap”

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Frequently asked questions about 夹子

夹子 can be found in kitchens as tongs, in offices as paper clips, and in study materials as folders.

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