句子
sentence
jùzi
What does 句子 mean?
句子 (jùzi) is the noun for 'sentence' — a complete unit of grammar with a subject and predicate. It's the everyday word students and teachers use in language class: 写一个句子 (write a sentence), 这个句子是什么意思？(what does this sentence mean?).
The single character 句 (jù) is also the measure word for sentences and remarks, so you'll hear 一句话 (yí jù huà = one sentence / one remark) just as often as 一个句子 (yí ge jùzi = one sentence). The difference: 句子 emphasizes the linguistic unit (grammatically a sentence), while 一句话 emphasizes the speech act (something someone said). In Chinese grammar discussion, you'll also meet 短句 (duǎn jù = short sentence), 长句 (cháng jù = long sentence), and 完整的句子 (wánzhěng de jùzi = a complete sentence).
Note: Neutral. Used in language classes, grammar discussions, and everyday talk about writing or speaking. The bare measure word
Character breakdown
sentence; phrase; measure word for sentences
noun suffix (neutralizes to no real meaning here)
Memory hook: 句 (jù) is the core meaning 'sentence'; the 子 (zi) suffix is a common noun-maker, like in 桌子 (table) and 椅子 (chair).
Measure word for 句子
Example sentences
请用这个词造一个句子。
Qǐng yòng zhège cí zào yí ge jùzi.
Please make a sentence using this word.
neutral
这个句子是什么意思？
Zhège jùzi shì shénme yìsi?
What does this sentence mean?
spoken
我写了五个句子。
Wǒ xiě le wǔ ge jùzi.
I wrote five sentences.
neutral
老师让我们翻译这些句子。
Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen fānyì zhèxiē jùzi.
The teacher asked us to translate these sentences.
neutral
这个句子太长了，我看不懂。
Zhège jùzi tài cháng le, wǒ kàn bu dǒng.
This sentence is too long, I can't understand it.
spoken
Common phrases with 句子
Synonyms
话 means 'speech / words / what someone says' — it covers anything spoken (一句话 = one remark/sentence, 我有话要说 = I have something to say). 句子 specifically refers to the grammatical unit, used in language-learning contexts.