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弟子 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
弟子dìzǐdiscipleHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #22524, Very Hard
弟子dìzǐfollowerHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #22524, Very Hard
dìzǐ(di4zi3)di zi T4
  1. 1disciple
  2. 2follower
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March 24, 2026

弟子dìzǐ(di4zi3)

弟子 (di4 zi3) refers to a disciple or follower, particularly in a context of learning or mentorship. It commonly describes someone who is under the guidance of a teacher or master, often in traditional Chinese practices such as martial arts, philosophy, or religion.

Strokes10Frequency#22524DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese culture, the relationship between a teacher and their disciple is highly valued, often emphasizing respect and loyalty. The concept of '师徒' (master-disciple) is prevalent in various fields, including martial arts and Confucian teachings.

Memory tip

Imagine a student (弟) who is a 'little brother' (子) in the classroom, always eager to learn from their wise teacher. Picture this 'little brother' diligently taking notes and following the teacher closely, embodying the essence of a devoted disciple.

Meanings of 弟子

dìzǐ(di4zi3)
1disciple
2follower
Exercise 1 of 3

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About 弟子

弟子Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 弟子

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AI Study Notes for 弟子

Quick Contrast

徒弟 (túdì) - use 弟子 when referring to a disciple in a more formal or traditional context, while 徒弟 is more casual and often implies a student-apprentice relationship.

Usage Notes

弟子 is typically used in more formal or traditional contexts. It is essential to avoid using it in casual situations where the term 'student' (学生, xue2 sheng1) would be more appropriate. Be mindful of the tone, as the pronunciation is crucial; both syllables must be clearly articulated.

HSK Study Tips

While 弟子 is not explicitly part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to the concept of 'student' (学生) and 'teacher' (老师). Students should focus on recognizing terms associated with education and mentorship to enhance their understanding in this area.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 弟子 with 学生, using 弟子 in casual settings. For example, saying '我是他的弟子' (I am his disciple) might sound overly formal; '我是他的学生' (I am his student) would be more appropriate in everyday conversation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 弟子

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Component Characters

弟dìyounger brother
HSK 17 strokes弓
View full entry
子zison
HSK 33 strokes子
View full entry

How to say disciple in Chinese

“disciple” in Chinese is弟子dìzǐ

弟子 (di4 zi3) refers to a disciple or follower, particularly in a context of learning or mentorship. It commonly describes someone who is under the guidance of a teacher or master, often in traditional Chinese practices such as martial arts, philosophy, or religion.

When to use 弟子

弟子 is typically used in more formal or traditional contexts. It is essential to avoid using it in casual situations where the term 'student' (学生, xue2 sheng1) would be more appropriate. Be mindful of the tone, as the pronunciation is crucial; both syllables must be clearly articulated.

弟子 or something close to it

徒弟 (túdì) - use 弟子 when referring to a disciple in a more formal or traditional context, while 徒弟 is more casual and often implies a student-apprentice relationship.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 弟子 with 学生, using 弟子 in casual settings. For example, saying '我是他的弟子' (I am his disciple) might sound overly formal; '我是他的学生' (I am his student) would be more appropriate in everyday conversation.

Write 弟子

弟
子

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

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Common Confusions with 弟子

弟子vs子
zǐ

子 is often used as a suffix in terms of endearment or to denote a person.

弟子vs弟
dì

弟子 contains the character 弟, which means 'younger brother'.

Exercise 1 of 1

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Frequently Asked Questions about 弟子

No, 弟子 specifically implies a disciple or follower in a more formal context, so it's not appropriate for casual student references.

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