Esta página en tu idioma

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun 10 min de lectura

次子

cì zǐ

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 次子 en 30 segundos

Explicación 次子 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are learning basic family words like 'father', 'mother', and 'son' (儿子 - érzi). The word '次子' (cìzǐ) is a bit more advanced because it is formal. For now, just remember that '儿子' means son. If you see '次子' in a book, think of it as a special, formal way to say 'the second son.' You won't need to say this word in your daily conversations yet. Instead, you can use '二儿子' (èr érzi) if you want to talk about a second son. The character '次' (cì) means 'next' or 'second,' and '子' (zǐ) is an old word for 'son.' In A1, we focus on the most common words, so keep this one in your 'reading' pocket for when you see formal stories about families.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn how to describe birth order in a family. While you usually use '第一个' (the first one) or '第二个' (the second one), '次子' (cìzǐ) is a useful word to recognize in formal contexts. It specifically means 'second son.' You might see it in a simple news story or a biography of a famous person. For example, '他是王家的次子' (He is the second son of the Wang family). It is more formal than '二儿子.' At this level, you should try to understand that '次' functions as a prefix for 'second' in family titles. This will help you understand other words later, like '次女' (second daughter). It's a great word to use if you want to sound more professional in your writing.

At the B1 level, you should be able to distinguish between formal and informal registers. '次子' (cìzǐ) is a key part of the formal register. When you are writing an essay about family structures or reading a modern Chinese novel, you will encounter this word frequently. Unlike '老二' (lǎo èr), which is very casual, '次子' is objective and respectful. You should use it when discussing historical figures or when writing formal introductions. For example, in a biography, you might write: '作为次子，他一直生活在哥哥的阴影下' (As the second son, he always lived in his brother's shadow). Understanding this word helps you navigate more complex texts where family hierarchy plays a role in the plot or the person's life story.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the cultural and historical nuances of kinship terms. '次子' (cìzǐ) carries connotations of traditional Chinese succession. Historically, the '长子' (eldest son) had different responsibilities and rights than the '次子.' When you read history or watch historical dramas (Guozhuang), the term '次子' is used to define a character's social standing and potential for inheritance. You should be comfortable using this term in analytical writing, such as comparing the roles of different siblings in a family business. You should also recognize that '次子' is part of a larger system of formal kinship terms (长子, 次子, 三子, 幼子) and be able to use them accurately in a formal report or an academic setting.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the C1 level, you should have a mastery of formal and literary Chinese vocabulary. '次子' (cìzǐ) is a standard term in your repertoire. You should be able to use it effortlessly in high-level discussions about sociology, history, or law. For instance, when discussing the legal implications of inheritance in different dynasties, '次子' is the precise term to use. You should also be aware of its usage in classical literature (Wenyanwen) and how it has persisted into modern formal Mandarin. At this level, you can also explore the stylistic reasons why an author might choose '次子' over '二儿子'—usually to create a sense of distance, formality, or historical weight. You should be able to translate complex English sentences involving birth order into elegant, formal Chinese using this term.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

At the C2 level, '次子' (cìzǐ) is a basic building block for sophisticated linguistic expression. You should understand its etymological roots and its place within the vast web of Chinese kinship terminology. You can analyze how the term '次子' reflects the Confucian emphasis on hierarchy and order within the family unit. In your own writing, whether it be a scholarly article, a legal brief, or a piece of creative literature, you use '次子' to maintain a consistent formal tone. You are also capable of understanding puns or literary references that play on the word '次' or the status of being a second son in Chinese history. Your understanding of the word is not just as a translation of 'second son,' but as a concept deeply embedded in the Chinese social and historical consciousness.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

次子 en 30 segundos

次子 (cìzǐ) is the formal Chinese noun for 'second son,' used primarily in writing and formal speech.
It combines '次' (second/next) and '子' (son) to specify birth order in a family.
While common in news and history, it is replaced by '二儿子' or '老二' in daily conversation.
It is gender-specific; the female equivalent for a second daughter is '次女' (cìnǚ).

The term 次子 (cìzǐ) is a formal and precise Chinese noun used to identify the second-born son within a family hierarchy. Composed of two characters, 次 (cì) meaning 'secondary' or 'next in order,' and 子 (zǐ) meaning 'son,' this word carries a weight of traditional Chinese family structure and historical significance. In the context of ancient Chinese lineage and inheritance laws, the order of birth was paramount, and specific terminology was required to distinguish between the firstborn and subsequent children. While a firstborn son is referred to as the 长子 (zhǎngzǐ), the second son is designated as the 次子.

Formal Register: In modern spoken Chinese, you will more frequently hear people say 二儿子 (èr érzi) or the colloquial 老二 (lǎo èr). However, 次子 remains the standard for formal writing, legal documents, biographies, and historical narratives. It conveys a level of respect and objective clarity that everyday terms lack.
Hierarchical Context: The use of 次子 implies a sequence. It is rarely used in isolation unless the existence of an elder brother is already established or understood in the context. In historical dramas or literature regarding royal families, the 次子 often occupies a unique narrative position, sometimes as a rival to the heir or as a scholarly alternative to a more martial eldest brother.

作为家中的次子，他虽然没有继承爵位的压力，但也必须努力证明自己的价值。(As the second son of the family, although he did not have the pressure of inheriting the title, he still had to work hard to prove his worth.)

Understanding 次子 also requires understanding the 'Ci' (次) prefix. In family designations, 'Ci' indicates the second position. For instance, the second daughter is the 次女 (cìnǚ). This systematic naming convention allows for an immediate understanding of a person's genealogical position. When reading a Chinese biography, seeing 次子 immediately tells you that there is at least one older brother, which helps map out the family tree mentally.

In contemporary news, especially when discussing royal families (like the British Royal Family) or the families of business tycoons, 次子 is the preferred term used by journalists to maintain a professional and objective tone. It avoids the casualness of 'second son' while maintaining the dignity of the subject. For example, Prince Harry is frequently referred to as the 次子 of King Charles in Chinese media reports.

Etymological Nuance: The character 次 (cì) originally depicted someone breathing or sighing, but evolved to mean 'second' or 'inferior' in rank. However, in the context of 次子, it does not imply inferiority in the modern sense, but rather a strictly chronological and structural placement within the family unit.

这位企业家的次子选择在海外创业，而不是进入家族企业。(The entrepreneur's second son chose to start his own business overseas instead of entering the family firm.)

Using 次子 (cìzǐ) correctly involves recognizing its formal nature and its placement within a sentence structure. It usually functions as a noun, often preceded by a possessive or a descriptive phrase. Below, we explore the various syntactic environments where this word thrives.

As a Subject: When 次子 is the subject, it often initiates a narrative about that specific person's actions or status. It is frequently followed by verbs related to achievement, inheritance, or family roles. For example: 次子继承了父亲的文学天赋 (The second son inherited his father's literary talent).

王教授的次子目前在清华大学攻读博士学位。(Professor Wang's second son is currently pursuing a PhD at Tsinghua University.)

In more complex sentences, 次子 can be part of a comparative structure, contrasting the life or choices of the second son with those of the 长子 (eldest son) or 幼子 (youngest son). This is common in literary analysis or historical documentation.

As an Object: When used as an object, 次子 often follows verbs of identifying or describing. For example: 他向众人介绍了他的次子 (He introduced his second son to everyone). Here, the word provides a clear, formal identification of the person's relationship to the subject.

皇帝非常器重他的次子，经常带他参与政务。(The Emperor highly valued his second son and often involved him in government affairs.)

In modern legal contexts, such as wills or inheritance disputes, 次子 is used to ensure there is no ambiguity about which child is being referred to. The precision of the term prevents the confusion that might arise from using names alone or more casual terms like 'my second boy.'

In Titles and Descriptions: You will often see 次子 used in the beginning of a biography or news article to define a person's background. For example: 作为李家的次子，李明从小就表现出过人的才华 (As the second son of the Li family, Li Ming showed extraordinary talent from a young age).

他在遗嘱中明确表示，家产将由长子和次子平分。(He clearly stated in his will that the family property would be split equally between the eldest son and the second son.)

由于长子常年在外，家中的事务大多由次子操持。(Since the eldest son was away all year, most of the family affairs were handled by the second son.)

While 次子 (cìzǐ) is not the word you would use to call your brother at the dinner table, it is ubiquitous in specific domains of Chinese life and media. Understanding these contexts is key to mastering the word's application.

News and Media: Whenever the media reports on prominent families, 次子 is the go-to term. If a famous actor or a political leader has a second son, the news headline will almost certainly use this word. It provides an air of journalistic professionalism and objectivity. You will hear news anchors use it when reporting on royal successions or the passing of a patriarch in a wealthy family.

新闻报道称，该集团董事长的次子已正式接管海外业务。(News reports state that the second son of the group's chairman has officially taken over overseas operations.)

In historical dramas (Wuxia or Xianxia), 次子 is a frequent term. Characters will refer to themselves or others by their birth order to establish their social standing. A character might say, “我是王爷的次子” (I am the second son of the Prince), which immediately tells the audience about his potential inheritance and his relationship with his siblings.

Literature and Biographies: When reading biographies of historical figures like Sima Yi or Su Dongpo, the text will use 次子 to describe their children. This is consistent with the formal biographical style of Chinese writing. It is also used in genealogy books (家谱 - jiāpǔ), which are records of family lineage maintained by many Chinese families for centuries.

在《三国演义》中，曹操的次子曹丕最终继承了大业。(In the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms,' Cao Cao's second son, Cao Pi, eventually inherited the great cause.)

Furthermore, in academic discussions about sociology or history, specifically regarding the 'One Child Policy' or traditional family structures, 次子 is used as a technical term to categorize family members. Researchers might discuss the psychological differences between a 长子 and a 次子 in traditional agrarian societies.

Legal and Official Documents: Contracts, wills, and official family registrations (户口本 - hùkǒuběn) may use this term to specify birth order. While modern digital systems often use numbers, the written language in legal certificates often retains these formal terms for clarity and tradition.

这份文件中提到的“次子”是指张先生的二儿子张亮。(The 'second son' mentioned in this document refers to Mr. Zhang's second son, Zhang Liang.)

Learning 次子 (cìzǐ) is relatively straightforward, but there are several pitfalls that English speakers and beginning Chinese learners often fall into. Avoiding these will make your Chinese sound much more natural and precise.

Register Mismatch: The most common mistake is using 次子 in casual conversation. If you are talking to a friend about your brother, saying “我的次子在上海” (My second son is in Shanghai) sounds incredibly stiff and robotic—almost as if you are reading from a legal document. In daily life, use 二儿子 or 老二.

Incorrect: 朋友，这是我的次子。(Friend, this is my second son.)
Correct: 朋友，这是我的二儿子。(Friend, this is my second son.)

Another mistake is confusing 次子 with 二子 (èrzǐ). While they mean the same thing, 二子 can sometimes mean 'two sons' depending on the context (though usually 'two sons' is 两个儿子). 次子 is specifically about the *order*, not the *quantity*.

Gender Confusion: Remember that 子 specifically refers to a male child. You cannot use 次子 to refer to a second daughter. For a second daughter, you must use 次女 (cìnǚ). Learners often forget to swap the second character when referring to different genders within the same hierarchical structure.

Confusing 次子 with 下子 or other combinations with 次. In Chinese, 次 has many meanings, including 'time' (as in 一次 - once) or 'substandard.' However, in family terms, it strictly means 'second in order.' Do not assume 次子 means 'a lesser son' or 'inferior son' just because 次 can mean substandard in other contexts like 次品 (substandard goods).

Numbering Logic: Some learners try to say 二子 thinking it follows the 一、二、三 pattern. While 二子 exists in classical Chinese, 次子 is the standard formal term for 'second son' in modern written Chinese. Similarly, the third son is 三子, but '次' is specifically reserved for the second position to contrast with '长' (eldest).

注意：不要把“次子”和“庶子”混淆。“庶子”是指妾室所生的儿子，而“次子”仅仅指出生顺序。(Note: Do not confuse 'second son' with 'son of a concubine.' The latter refers to status, while 'second son' refers only to birth order.)

Chinese has a rich vocabulary for family relations, and choosing the right word for 'second son' depends entirely on the context and the relationship between the speaker and the listener. Here are the most common alternatives to 次子 (cìzǐ).

二儿子 (èr érzi): Usage: This is the most common and neutral way to say 'second son' in daily life. It is appropriate for both spoken and informal written Chinese.
Comparison: While 次子 is formal and bookish, 二儿子 is warm and conversational.
老二 (lǎo èr): Usage: A very colloquial term used within the family or among close friends. It can refer to the second child regardless of gender, but in a male-only context, it specifically means the second son.
Comparison: 老二 is very informal and can even be used as a nickname.
二子 (èrzǐ): Usage: Mostly found in classical Chinese or very old-fashioned literature.
Comparison: It is even more archaic than 次子 and is rarely used in modern Mandarin except in specific historical references.

虽然在正式场合称他为“次子”，但私下里大家都叫他“老二”。(Although he is called the 'second son' in formal occasions, everyone calls him 'Lao Er' in private.)

When discussing the 'second' of something in other contexts, you might use words like 第二 (dì-èr). However, 第二儿子 is grammatically correct but sounds slightly 'translated' and less natural than 二儿子. The use of the prefix 次 is specifically reserved for this hierarchical family ranking.

In some regional dialects, there are even more specific terms. In Cantonese, for example, the second son might be called 二佬 (if he is the speaker's older brother) or 二仔. However, in standard Mandarin (Putonghua), the distinction between formal 次子 and informal 二儿子 is the most important one to master.

仲 (zhòng): Usage: In ancient Chinese naming conventions (伯、仲、叔、季), 仲 was used for the second-born.
Comparison: You will see this in historical names (like Confucius, whose style name was Zhongni 仲尼, indicating he was the second son), but it is never used in modern speech.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

In ancient Chinese naming customs, the characters 伯 (bó), 仲 (zhòng), 叔 (shū), and 季 (jì) were used to denote the first, second, third, and youngest sons. '次子' became the standard descriptive term later.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /tsʰɨ̂ tsɨ̀/

US /tsʰi tsi/

The stress is slightly more on the first syllable 'cì' as it defines the birth order.

Rima con

字 (zì) 赐 (cì) 刺 (cì) 志 (zhì) 治 (zhì) 至 (zhì) 似 (sì) 事 (shì)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'cì' as 'chì' (like 'church').
Pronouncing 'zǐ' as 'zhǐ' (like 'judge').
Mixing up the tones, making it sound like 'one time' (一次 - yīcì).
Failing to aspirate the 'c' in 'cì'.
Making the 'i' sound like a long English 'ee' instead of the Chinese vowel sound.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize once you know 'Ci' and 'Zi'.

Escritura 3/5

Requires remembering how to write '次' correctly.

Expresión oral 2/5

Easy to say, but hard to know when to use instead of '二儿子'.

Escucha 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to hear.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

儿子 (son) 二 (two) 长子 (eldest son) 孩子 (child) 家 (family)

Aprende después

次女 (second daughter) 幼子 (youngest son) 继承 (inherit) 排行 (birth order) 辈分 (generation rank)

Avanzado

嫡庶 (legal vs concubine offspring) 宗法 (patriarchal system) 世袭 (hereditary) 伯仲 (brothers/peers)

Gramática que debes saber

Use of '次' as a prefix for order

次子, 次女, 次日 (the next day).

Formal vs Informal Kinship terms

次子 vs 二儿子.

Possessive '的' with family titles

王教授的次子.

Measure words for people (位 vs 个)

一位次子 (respectful).

Birth order sequencing (长、次、三...)

长子、次子、三子.

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Ejemplos por nivel

他是次子。

He is the second son.

Simple subject + verb + noun structure.

王先生有两个儿子，那是次子。

Mr. Wang has two sons; that is the second son.

Using '那是' to identify someone.

次子很可爱。

The second son is very cute.

Subject + adjective.

他是我的次子。

He is my second son.

Possessive '我的' before the noun.

次子在喝水。

The second son is drinking water.

Present continuous action.

次子六岁了。

The second son is six years old.

Stating age.

次子去学校。

The second son goes to school.

Simple subject + verb + object.

次子喜欢猫。

The second son likes cats.

Expressing a preference.

作为家里的次子，他很听话。

As the second son in the family, he is very obedient.

'作为' (as) establishes the role.

他的次子在上海工作。

His second son works in Shanghai.

Specifying location with '在'.

次子比长子矮一点。

The second son is a bit shorter than the eldest son.

Comparison structure 'A 比 B + adjective'.

次子今年考上了大学。

The second son got into university this year.

Action completed with '了'.

他把礼物送给了次子。

He gave the gift to the second son.

'把' construction for giving.

次子和长子都在学习。

Both the second son and the eldest son are studying.

'和...都' (both... and).

这是那位医生的次子。

This is that doctor's second son.

Possessive phrase with '的'.

次子从小就喜欢画画。

The second son has liked drawing since he was a child.

'从小就' (since childhood).

虽然他是次子，但他承担了更多的家庭责任。

Although he is the second son, he has taken on more family responsibilities.

'虽然...但是' (although... but) contrast.

在很多小说中，次子往往是更有趣的角色。

In many novels, the second son is often the more interesting character.

'往往是' (often is).

他决定把公司交给次子管理。

He decided to hand over the company to the second son to manage.

'交给...管理' (hand over to... for management).

次子的性格比长子更加开朗。

The second son's personality is more outgoing than the eldest son's.

Comparison of personality traits.

作为次子，他不需要像哥哥那样继承爵位。

As the second son, he doesn't need to inherit the title like his older brother.

'不需要像...那样' (doesn't need to be like...).

那位著名的建筑师是家里的次子。

That famous architect is the second son of the family.

Identifying a person's profession and birth order.

他在信中提到了他的次子。

He mentioned his second son in the letter.

'在...中提到' (mentioned in...).

次子为了追求梦想，离开了家乡。

The second son left his hometown to pursue his dreams.

'为了' (in order to) expressing purpose.

在传统观念中，次子往往被赋予更多的自由度。

In traditional views, the second son is often given more freedom.

Passive voice '被赋予' (be given).

次子在继承权上通常排在长子之后。

The second son usually follows the eldest son in terms of inheritance rights.

'在...上排在...之后' (ranks after... in terms of...).

由于长子体弱多病，家族的重担落在了次子肩上。

Since the eldest son was frail and sickly, the heavy burden of the family fell on the second son's shoulders.

'由于...落在了...肩上' (because... fell on...'s shoulders).

这位皇帝的次子以骁勇善战著称。

The Emperor's second son was famous for his bravery and skill in battle.

'以...著称' (famous for...).

次子拒绝了父亲的安排，选择自主创业。

The second son rejected his father's arrangements and chose to start his own business.

Compound sentence with rejection and choice.

在某些文化中，次子会被送往寺庙修行。

In some cultures, the second son would be sent to a temple to practice.

Hypothetical or habitual passive action.

次子通过自己的努力，赢得了家族的认可。

The second son won the recognition of the family through his own efforts.

'通过...赢得了' (won... through...).

次子与长子之间经常发生激烈的竞争。

Fierce competition often occurred between the second son and the eldest son.

'与...之间' (between... and...).

次子身份的尴尬往往源于权力分配的不均。

The awkwardness of the second son's identity often stems from the unequal distribution of power.

Abstract subject with '源于' (stems from).

历史学家对这位次子的政治意图进行了深入剖析。

Historians conducted an in-depth analysis of this second son's political intentions.

'对...进行深入剖析' (conduct an in-depth analysis of...).

作为次子，他必须在效忠长兄与维护自身利益之间寻找平衡。

As the second son, he must find a balance between loyalty to his elder brother and protecting his own interests.

'在...与...之间寻找平衡' (find a balance between... and...).

该剧深刻探讨了豪门次子在继承权争夺中的心理变化。

The drama profoundly explores the psychological changes of a second son in a wealthy family during the struggle for inheritance.

'深刻探讨了...中的心理变化' (profoundly explored the psychological changes in...).

次子往往被视为家族的“备选方案”，这种看法在现代社会已逐渐淡化。

The second son is often seen as the family's 'backup plan,' a view that has gradually faded in modern society.

'被视为' (be seen as) and '逐渐淡化' (gradually fade).

在这篇传记中，作者对次子的描写比对长子的描写更为细腻。

In this biography, the author's description of the second son is more delicate than that of the eldest son.

Comparative structure with '更为' (even more).

次子在家族祭祀仪式中扮演着次要但不可或缺的角色。

The second son plays a secondary but indispensable role in the family's sacrificial rituals.

'扮演着...的角色' (playing the role of...).

法律文件明确规定了次子在父亲去世后的财产分配份额。

The legal documents clearly stipulated the share of property distribution for the second son after the father's death.

'明确规定了' (clearly stipulated).

在宗法制度下，次子的法律地位与长子有着本质的区别。

Under the patriarchal clan system, the legal status of the second son is fundamentally different from that of the eldest son.

'在...下' (under...) and '有着本质的区别' (has a fundamental difference).

该研究旨在揭示中国古代社会中次子群体的生存策略。

This study aims to reveal the survival strategies of the second son group in ancient Chinese society.

'旨在揭示' (aims to reveal).

次子对权力的觊觎往往成为宫廷斗争的导火索。

The second son's coveting of power often becomes the fuse for palace struggles.

Metaphorical use of '导火索' (fuse).

文学作品中次子形象的演变反映了社会伦理观念的变迁。

The evolution of the image of the second son in literary works reflects the changes in social ethical concepts.

'反映了...的变迁' (reflects the changes in...).

尽管身为次子，他凭借过人的韬略最终登上了权力的巅峰。

Despite being the second son, he eventually reached the pinnacle of power by virtue of his extraordinary strategy.

'凭借...最终登上了' (by virtue of... eventually ascended to...).

次子在家族内部的边缘化处境促使他向外寻求发展空间。

The marginalized situation of the second son within the family prompted him to seek space for development outside.

'促使' (prompted/driven).

通过对次子墓志铭的研究，我们可以窥见当时社会的继承习俗。

Through the study of the second son's epitaphs, we can catch a glimpse of the inheritance customs of that time.

'通过对...的研究' and '可以窥见' (can catch a glimpse of).

次子在儒家伦理框架内的道德义务与长子既有重叠又有分野。

The moral obligations of the second son within the Confucian ethical framework both overlap with and diverge from those of the eldest son.

'既有...又有...' (both has... and has...).

Colocaciones comunes

家中次子

次子继承

次子身份

由于是次子

长子与次子

作为次子

某人的次子

排行次子

次子夭折

培养次子

Frases Comunes

嫡次子

— The second son born to the primary wife in a polygamous system.

他是王府的嫡次子。

庶次子

— The second son born to a concubine.

庶次子的地位通常较低。

次子从军

— The second son joining the military, a common historical theme.

次子从军，长子务农。

次子留学

— The second son studying abroad.

次子留学归来，带回了先进技术。

次子经商

— The second son engaging in business.

长子从政，次子经商。

次子婚配

— The marriage of the second son.

次子婚配之事已由父母定夺。

次子成家

— The second son starting a family.

次子成家后搬出了老宅。

次子立功

— The second son performing a great deed or merit.

次子在边疆立功，获封爵位。

次子反叛

— The second son rebelling (common in historical dramas).

次子反叛，导致家族分崩离析。

次子接班

— The second son taking over the family business.

次子接班后，公司业绩大增。

Se confunde a menudo con

次子 vs 二子

二子 is more archaic and can sometimes be plural (two sons).

次子 vs 次女

次女 is the second daughter; don't mix the gender.

次子 vs 庶子

庶子 refers to the son of a concubine, which is a status, not just birth order.

Modismos y expresiones

"伯仲之间"

— Literally 'between the first and second son'; used to describe two things that are almost equal in quality.

这两位棋手的水平在伯仲之间。

Literary

"难兄难弟"

— Originally referred to two brothers whose merits were hard to distinguish; now means two people in the same difficult situation.

我们两个真是难兄难弟。

Common

"克绍箕裘"

— To carry on one's father's business or profession, often applied to a son.

次子克绍箕裘，继承了父业。

Literary

"兄弟阋墙"

— Brothers quarreling within the home; internal strife.

长子与次子不和，导致兄弟阋墙。

Literary

"望子成龙"

— Hoping one's son will become successful (a dragon).

父母对他这个次子也是望子成龙。

Common

"光宗耀祖"

— To bring honor to one's ancestors.

作为次子，他也希望能光宗耀祖。

Common

"子承父业"

— The son inherits the father's career.

次子子承父业，打理家族生意。

Common

"百子千孙"

— Having many children and grandchildren.

老人希望家里能百子千孙。

Literary

"父慈子孝"

— A kind father and a filial son.

他们家父慈子孝，生活幸福。

Common

"舐犊情深"

— Deep parental love (literally: the cow licking its calf).

父亲对次子也是舐犊情深。

Literary

Fácil de confundir

次子 vs 其次

Both contain '次'.

'其次' means 'secondly' or 'next,' while '次子' is a person.

首先，我要感谢父母；其次，我要感谢我的次子。

次子 vs 次要

Both contain '次'.

'次要' means 'secondary' or 'less important.'

次子的教育不是次要的问题。

次子 vs 位次

Both contain '次'.

'位次' means 'ranking' or 'place in a sequence.'

他在家族中的位次是次子。

次子 vs 二次

Both contain '次'.

'二次' means 'twice' or 'the second time.'

这是次子第二次出国。

次子 vs 子弟

Both contain '子'.

'子弟' refers to the younger generation in general.

家中的子弟中，次子最杰出。

Patrones de oraciones

他是[Person]的次子。

他是王医生的次子。

[Person]有[Number]个儿子，[Name]是次子。

他有两个儿子，张亮是次子。

作为次子，[Action/State]。

作为次子，他很独立。

次子比长子更[Adjective]。

次子比长子更开朗。

虽然是次子，但[Contrast]。

虽然是次子，但他继承了家业。

[Person]决定让次子[Action]。

父亲决定让次子出国留学。

次子的[Noun]反映了[Theme]。

次子的处境反映了家族的矛盾。

在[Context]下，次子的[Status]被[Action]。

在宗法制度下，次子的权益被严格限制。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

长子 (eldest son)

三子 (third son)

幼子 (youngest son)

次女 (second daughter)

Adjetivos

次要的 (secondary)

次等的 (substandard)

Relacionado

儿子 (son)

兄弟 (brothers)

排行 (birth order)

家族 (family/clan)

继承 (inherit)

Regístrate gratis para ver todos los ejemplos

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in literature and news; rare in daily speech.

Errores comunes

Using '次子' for the second daughter. → 次女 (cìnǚ)
The character '子' is gender-specific to males in this context.
Saying '第二个次子'. → 次子
'次子' already means 'second son'; adding '第二个' is redundant.
Pronouncing 'cì' as 'sì'. → cì (aspirated ts)
'sì' means four, which would change the meaning entirely.
Using '次子' in a text message to a sibling. → 二哥 or 弟弟
It's too formal for personal family communication.
Thinking '次子' means 'substandard son'. → Second son
While '次' can mean substandard, here it only refers to order.

Consejos

When to use

Use '次子' in written introductions or when discussing history.

Falling Tone

Make sure 'cì' falls sharply. If you use a flat tone, it might be confused.

Gender Check

Always remember that '次子' is only for males.

Learn the Set

Learn 长子, 次子, and 幼子 together as a set.

Historical Context

Read about Cao Pi to see how '次子' appears in history.

Avoid Pretentiousness

Don't use it in a bar or a casual cafe; it sounds too stiff.

Measure Words

Use '位' (wèi) for a more respectful tone in writing.

Look for the 'Ci'

Spotting '次' in other family words will help you understand hierarchy.

Sequence

Think of '次' as 'next'. Next son = Second son.

News Clues

When you hear '次子' on the news, listen for the father's name before it.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Ci' as 'Cycle' - the next one in the cycle of sons. 'Zi' is just the 'Son'. So, Cycle-Son is the Second Son.

Asociación visual

Imagine a line of two boys. The first one is tall (长), the second one is 'next' (次) in line.

Word Web

次子长子幼子次女儿子家庭排行二

Desafío

Try to write a short paragraph introducing a fictional family with a 长子 and a 次子, describing one difference between them.

Origen de la palabra

The character '次' (cì) dates back to early inscriptions, originally meaning to stop or stay, but evolved to mean 'second' or 'secondary' in a sequence. '子' (zǐ) is one of the oldest characters, depicting a baby, and has meant 'son' or 'child' for millennia.

Significado original: The combination '次子' has consistently meant 'the son who is second in order' since the development of formal kinship terminology in ancient China.

Sino-Tibetan

Contexto cultural

Be careful not to imply '次子' is 'inferior' just because '次' can mean 'substandard' in other contexts. In family terms, it is strictly neutral birth order.

In English, we simply say 'second son.' There isn't a single formal word like '次子' that is used as frequently in biographies.

Cao Pi (曹丕), the second son of Cao Cao, who became the first Emperor of Cao Wei. Prince Harry is often called '哈里次子' in formal Chinese news titles. Sima Zhao (司马昭), the second son of Sima Yi.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Family Introduction

介绍我的次子
次子目前在...
这是家中的次子
次子的名字是...

Historical Drama

拜见次子殿下
次子意欲何为
身为次子，当...
次子与长子争宠

Legal/Inheritance

次子的继承份额
遗嘱中提到次子
次子享有...
次子签署协议

News Reporting

董事长的次子
次子接手业务
次子发表声明
次子卷入丑闻

Biographies

他是家里的次子
次子从小聪颖
作为次子，他...
次子后来的成就

Inicios de conversación

"听说你是家里的次子，你和哥哥关系好吗？"

"作为次子，你觉得父母对你和哥哥的要求一样吗？"

"在你的国家，次子通常会继承家产吗？"

"你觉得次子的性格通常是怎么样的？"

"如果你有一个长子和一个次子，你会如何培养他们？"

Temas para diario

写一段话描述一个历史人物的次子，想象他的生活。

讨论一下在现代社会，“次子”这个词的使用频率是否在下降。

如果你是家里的次子，写一写你的感受；如果你不是，想象一下。

比较一下“次子”和“二儿子”这两个词在不同场合的使用。

写一个关于长子和次子为了家族企业共同努力的故事。

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It's better not to. It sounds too formal. Use '二儿子' instead. For example, say '我二儿子很乖' rather than '我的次子很乖'.

During that era, '次子' was rare because most families only had one child. However, it was still used in historical contexts or for families allowed to have more children.

'次子' is the standard modern formal term. '二子' is more likely to be found in ancient texts or poetry.

No, it only indicates birth order. While '次' can mean 'secondary,' in this context, it is a neutral ranking.

You would say '三子' (sānzǐ). The prefix '次' is specifically for the second son.

Yes, especially in inheritance papers or formal family registries to avoid any confusion.

The most direct opposite in terms of birth order is '长子' (eldest son) or '幼子' (youngest son).

Usually, it refers to biological birth order. For a step-son, you would use '继子' (jìzǐ).

It is 'cì' with a fourth (falling) tone. The 'c' is an aspirated 'ts' sound.

No, '子' implies male. A second daughter is a '次女' (cìnǚ).

Regístrate gratis para ver consejos y notas