Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 尺子 | chǐzi |
| 尺 | chǐ |
| 直尺 | zhíchǐ |
The term 尺子 can specifically refer to a ruler that measures length. In technical or formal contexts, 尺 can be part of compound words related to measurement, such as 量尺 (liángchǐ) for a measuring scale/ruler.
What does it mean word for word?
The character 尺 (chǐ) literally means 'ruler' or 'scale'.
Which one should you use?
While 尺子 is a general term for a ruler, 直尺 specifically refers to a straight ruler (as opposed to a flexible or curved one). 直尺 encompasses both the measuring ruler used daily and the straightedge ruler used in geometry.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 直尺 is more frequently used in mainland China. In some areas of southern China, the term 瓦尺 refers to the ruler used in roof tiling.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 尺子 (chǐzi) uses the suffix 子 (zi) to turn the root 尺 into a common noun, which is a standard way to form nouns in Mandarin.
How do you pronounce it?
chǐzi
Did you know?
- The character 尺 is thought by some scholars to be a pictogram of a hand, specifically a hand with the thumb and middle finger stretched out to measure distance.
- In traditional Chinese measurement, one 尺 (chǐ) was historically defined as ten 寸 (cùn), a unit based on the width of a thumb.
- The character 尺 is used in the idiom 量尺 to describe measuring something, but it can also appear in phrases about 'measuring' a person's character or worth.
Examples in context
- 用尺子画线。Draw a line with a ruler.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use the word 尺.Tatoeba #12420185 by jkyochen, translation #2985703 by sharptoothed
- 我需要一把尺子来测量这张桌子的宽度。I need a ruler to measure the width of this table.
- 他用尺子测量了房间的高度。He measured the height of the room with a ruler.
- 请把教室的尺子递给我，好吗？Could you please pass me the classroom ruler?
- 我找不到直尺，你能借给我吗？I can't find my ruler, can you lend me yours?
- 直尺是数学课上常用的工具之一。The ruler is one of the common tools used in math classes.
- 请给我那把尺子。Qǐng gěi wǒ nà bǎ chǐzi.Please give me that ruler.
- 这把尺子很长。Zhè bǎ chǐzi hěn cháng.This ruler is very long.
Example conversation
A student asks a classmate for a tool in a classroom.
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，你有尺子吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ yǒu chǐzi ma?Zhiqiang, do you have a ruler?
- 志强 Zhiqiang有，给你。Yǒu, gěi nǐ.Yes, here you go.
- 佳怡 Jiayi谢谢你，帮了大忙。Xièxiè nǐ, bāngle dà máng.Thank you, you helped me a lot.
- 志强 Zhiqiang不客气。Bù kèqì.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ruler” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 尺, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
