渣子
zhāzǐ · HSK 7
dregs
🪨 渣 = dregs or residue + 子 noun-suffix; slag is the leftover residue from smelting metal
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.