字母 zìmǔ letter (of the alphabet)
How to remember 字母: 字 character + 母 mother = letter (of the alphabet).
Characters
How it is used
- A letter of an alphabet: 大写字母 (dàxiě zìmǔ) capital letter; 26个英文字母.
- Sharp contrast with 字 (zì), a Chinese character - 字母 is specifically alphabetic, so English/Pinyin uses 字母, Chinese uses 字.
- Also 拼音字母, 字母表 alphabet.
Example sentences
- 写下你名字的大写字母。 Xiěxià nǐ míngzì de dàxiězìmǔ.Write your name in capitals.