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渣子 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
渣子dregs; bits; dregs (of society)HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #26031, Very Hard
  1. 1dregs
  2. 2bits
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March 24, 2026

渣子

渣子 (zhā zi) refers to the residue or dregs left over after processing something, particularly in contexts like food preparation or manufacturing. It is often used metaphorically to describe something of little value or inferior quality, akin to 'scraps' or 'leftovers'.

Strokes15Frequency#26031DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese cuisine, the concept of 渣子 is relevant during tea-making or when preparing traditional dishes where the residual components are often discarded, highlighting the importance of quality ingredients in Chinese cooking.

Memory tip

Think of 渣 (zhā) as the 'dregs' you find at the bottom of a cup after drinking. The character combines the water radical (氵) indicating its liquid context, and its pronunciation rhymes with 'cha', which can remind you of the 'last sip' that is not the best part of the drink.

Meanings of 渣子

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In English

What does 渣子 mean in English?

渣子

About 渣子

渣子Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 渣子

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Podcast: 渣子

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AI study notes for 渣子

Quick Contrast

渣 (zhā) vs 渣滓 (zhā zǐ) — use 渣子 for the specific residue left after processing, while 渣 refers more generally to dregs or waste, and 渣滓 may imply a broader context of waste material.

Usage Notes

While 渣子 is generally informal, it can be used in both spoken and written language. Be cautious not to confuse it with 渣, which can refer to the dregs themselves without the diminutive implication of '子'. It often collocates with terms like '食物 (food)' or '咖啡 (coffee)'.

HSK Study Tips

This word is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, but it can be useful for students at HSK 4 or higher who are expanding their colloquial language skills. Focus on understanding its metaphorical uses in conversation, as it can enhance your expressive abilities.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 渣子 in a formal context, thinking it can be appropriate for all situations. It's best to reserve it for informal conversations. Another common error is using 渣子 to refer to valuable items, when it should only describe inferior or leftover materials.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 渣子

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Component characters

渣zhāslag (in mining or smelting)
HSK 712 strokes氵
View full entry
子zison
HSK 33 strokes子
View full entry

How to say dregs in Chinese

“dregs” in Chinese is渣子

渣子 (zhā zi) refers to the residue or dregs left over after processing something, particularly in contexts like food preparation or manufacturing. It is often used metaphorically to describe something of little value or inferior quality, akin to 'scraps' or 'leftovers'.

When to use 渣子

While 渣子 is generally informal, it can be used in both spoken and written language. Be cautious not to confuse it with 渣, which can refer to the dregs themselves without the diminutive implication of '子'. It often collocates with terms like '食物 (food)' or '咖啡 (coffee)'.

渣子 or something close to it

渣 (zhā) vs 渣滓 (zhā zǐ) — use 渣子 for the specific residue left after processing, while 渣 refers more generally to dregs or waste, and 渣滓 may imply a broader context of waste material.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 渣子 in a formal context, thinking it can be appropriate for all situations. It's best to reserve it for informal conversations. Another common error is using 渣子 to refer to valuable items, when it should only describe inferior or leftover materials.

Write 渣子

渣
子

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Frequently asked questions about 渣子

You can use 渣子 when talking about food leftovers or in a metaphorical sense to describe something that is not worth much.

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