男子 nánzǐ a man
a man; a male
How to remember 男子: 男 male + 子 child = a man.
Characters
How it is used
- A man / male, in a formal or reporting register - 一名男子 (yì míng nánzǐ) a man (as in news); 男子 100 米 the men's 100m.
- Contrast 男人 (nánrén, everyday 'man'): 男子 is used in news reports, sports categories (男子组 men's division), and set phrases. In speech people say 男人.
- 男子汉 (nánzǐhàn) means a 'real/tough man'.
Example sentences
- 这个男子竟然是一个私家侦探。 Zhège nánzi jìngrán shì yígè sījiāzhēntàn.The man turned out to be a private detective.