弟子
dìzǐ · HSK 7
disciple
🎓 younger brother + child = a young follower, i.e. a disciple
弟 means younger brother and 子 means child or son. Together they describe someone junior who follows a master — a pupil or disciple. Think of it as the masters little brother figure.
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.