卷子
juǎn zi , juàn zi · HSK 7
examination paper
📄 卷 = roll up + 子 (noun suffix) = a rolled-up thing: a food roll, or rolled exam paper
The core is 卷, to roll up, plus the noun suffix 子. Both meanings are literally rolled things: a steamed/spring roll of dough, or a sheet of exam paper that gets rolled or handed in. Note the two tones: juǎn zi for the food, juàn zi for the test.
卷 — 卷 = 龹 (top, hands rolling) + 㔾 (kneeling person)
Originally depicted hands rolling something up over a bent figure, suggesting the act of curling or rolling. The core sense 'to roll up' extended to 'scroll' (rolled documents) and 'volume' of a book. By sound extension it also means 'curly' and serves as a measure word for scrolls or exam papers.
子 — pictograph of a baby/child with arms out
子 began as a pictograph of a swaddled infant with a large head and outstretched arms, originally meaning 'baby' or 'child.' From there it broadened to 'son,' 'offspring,' and a respectful suffix for masters like 孔子 (Confucius). It also became one of the twelve earthly branches.