帽子
màozi · HSK 4
hat
🧢 帽子 = mào (hat) + zi (noun suffix)
帽 carries the 'hat/cap' meaning; 子 is a common noun suffix that turns a root into an everyday object word, like 桌子 (table) or 椅子 (chair).
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.