钻空子
zuān kòng zi · HSK 7
to take advantage of a loophole
🪛🕳️ 钻 drill + 空 gap + 子 (noun suffix) = drill into a gap = exploit a loophole
钻 means to drill or bore, 空 means empty space or gap, and 子 is a noun suffix. Together they describe boring into an empty gap — finding the weak spot in a rule and slipping through it for personal gain.
钻 — metal radical 钅+ 占 (phonetic)
A semantic-phonetic compound. The metal radical 钅(金) signals a metal tool or object, while 占 (zhān) provides the sound. Originally meant a metal drill or auger; by extension, to bore or drill through. The traditional form is 鑽.
空 — cave radical 穴 + 工 (phonetic)
Originally a phono-semantic compound: 穴 (cave, hole) gives the meaning of emptiness or hollow space, while 工 supplies the sound. The earliest sense was 'hole' or 'cavity,' which extended to 'empty,' 'sky,' and 'in vain.' The reading kòng (4th tone) specifically means 'free time' or 'vacancy.'
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.