胡子
húzi
The English phrase "mustache" is translated into Chinese as 胡子 (húzi).
In Chinese, 胡子 (húzi) is a general term that can refer to both a mustache and a beard, whereas English distinguishes between the two.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 胡子 is composed of 胡 (hú), which historically referred to "barbarian" or "foreign" peoples and 子 (zi), a common noun suffix.
Which one should you use?
While 胡子 is the general term, 八字胡 (bāzìhú) specifically refers to a mustache shaped like the Chinese character 'eight' (八), often used to describe a more stylized or specific mustache.
How do you pronounce it?
húzi
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese opera, the type of 'fake' mustache or beard worn by an actor is called 髯 (rán) and is used to signal a character's specific age or personality.
- The character 胡 (hú) used in 胡子 is the same character used in the word 胡椒 (hújiāo), which means 'black pepper'.
- While English speakers might say 'grow a beard', in Chinese you might say 留胡子 (liú húzi), where the verb 留 means 'to keep' or 'to retain'.
Examples in context
- 他刮了他的胡子。He shaved his mustache off.This sentence is useful for showing the action of shaving the 胡子.Tatoeba #408840 by fucongcong, translation #296263 by CK
- 你留了新胡子吗？Have you grown a new mustache?
- 他的胡子很长。Tā de húzi hěn cháng.His mustache is very long.
- 你留胡子了吗？Nǐ liú húzi le ma?Did you grow a mustache?
Example conversation
Two friends are meeting for coffee.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，你的胡子真酷！Zhìqiáng, nǐ de húzi zhēn kù!Zhiqiang, your mustache is really cool!
- 志强 Zhiqiang谢谢，我最近才留的。Xièxiè, wǒ zuìjìn cái liú de.Thanks, I just grew it recently.
- 梓涵 Zihan很有男人味。Hěn yǒu nánrén wèi.It looks very masculine.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我也觉得不错。Wǒ yě juéde bùcuò.I think so too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
