饺子
jiǎo zi · HSK 2
dumpling
🥟 饺 jiǎo = food radical 饣 + 交 jiāo (cross/meet); 子 zi = little one
The 饣 radical marks it as food; 交 (to cross/join) gives the sound and hints at folded edges meeting. 子 is a common noun suffix for small items. Compare 包子 bāozi (steamed bun) — same 子 pattern.
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.
jiǎo zi · HSK 3
dumplings
🥟 饺 = 食 (food) + 交 (meet/join) — folded food where edges meet
The 食 radical marks it as food; 交 means to cross or join, hinting at the pinched seam where the wrapper edges meet. 子 is a common noun suffix. Sounds like jee-ow-dzuh.
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.