A 'wèizi' is a place to sit or a position one occupies.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to a place to sit.
- Can also mean a position or role.
- Common in daily life and various settings.
Overview
“位子”是一个非常常用的中文名词，主要有两个含义。第一，它指可以让人坐下的地方，比如椅子、沙发、长凳等上的特定空间。第二，它引申为在某个群体、组织、活动或讨论中占据的特定位置或角色。这个词在日常生活中使用频率很高，无论是描述具体的座位还是抽象的地位，都非常方便。
“位子”通常与动词搭配使用，如“找位子”、“占位子”、“让位子”、“没位子”等。在表示抽象意义时，可以和“重要”、“核心”、“发言”等词语结合，如“重要位子”、“核心位子”、“发言位子”。它也可以用来指代职位，尤其是一些非正式的或临时的职位。
Examples
请问这里有空位子吗？
everydayExcuse me, is there a free seat here?
他刚得到一个很好的工作位子。
informalHe just got a very good job position.
请把这个位子让给老人。
everydayPlease give this seat to the elderly.
在这个项目中，每个人都有不可替代的位子。
formalIn this project, everyone has an irreplaceable position.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
请坐
Please sit down
没关系
It's okay / No problem
谢谢你
Thank you
Often Confused With
'Zuòwèi' is a direct synonym for 'wèizi' when referring to a physical seat. It's slightly more formal and often refers to the seat itself as an object.
'Wèizhi' is broader and can refer to any location, position, or status. 'Wèizi' is a specific type of 'wèizhi' that implies a place to sit or a role within a group.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word 'wèizi' is very common in spoken Chinese and everyday contexts. It's generally neutral to informal. While it can refer to a job position, using more specific terms like '职位' (zhíwèi) might be preferred in formal business settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes overuse 'wèizi' in very formal writing where '座位' or '位置' might be more appropriate. Also, confusing its abstract meaning (position/role) with its concrete meaning (seat) can lead to awkward phrasing.
Tips
Use 'Wèizi' Flexibly
Remember 'wèizi' can mean both a physical seat and an abstract position or role.
Avoid Overuse in Formal Writing
While common, 'wèizi' can sound informal. Consider '座位' or '位置' in very formal written contexts.
Offering Your Seat
In Chinese culture, offering your 'wèizi' to the elderly, pregnant women, or those in need is a sign of respect and politeness.
Word Origin
The character '位' (wèi) originally depicted a person standing on a platform or a raised position, signifying status or rank. '子' (zi) is a common noun suffix. Together, '位子' evolved to mean a place associated with a person's standing or function, primarily a seat.
Cultural Context
Offering one's seat ('让位子') to elders, pregnant women, or people with disabilities is a common and expected courtesy in Chinese society, reflecting respect for vulnerable individuals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'way' (wei) to get to your 'zi'ppered seat on the bus.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“位子”和“座位”在很多情况下可以互换使用，都指可以坐下的地方。但“座位”更偏向于指具体的椅子或供人坐的器具，并且稍微更正式一些。而“位子”的用法更灵活，可以指具体的座位，也可以引申为抽象的地位或角色。
是的，“位子”可以用来指工作职位，尤其是在非正式的语境中。例如，“他找到一个好位子”就意味着他获得了一个不错的工作职位。
两者都可以。在口语中，“订一个位子”更常用和自然。如果你想更正式一点，说“订一个座位”也是完全正确的。
“没位子了”表示所有可供坐下的地方都已经有人了，没有空余的座位了。这在餐厅、电影院等场所很常见。
Test Yourself
对不起，这个_____有人了。
在这个语境下，“位子”最自然地指代一个被占用的座位。
在会议中，每个代表都有自己的（ ）来发言。
这里的“位子”指的是发言的立场或机会，是“位置”的引申义，比“座位”更合适。
找，我们，一个，位子
这是最符合中文语法的句子结构：主语+谓语+宾语。
Score: /3
Summary
A 'wèizi' is a place to sit or a position one occupies.
- Refers to a place to sit.
- Can also mean a position or role.
- Common in daily life and various settings.
Use 'Wèizi' Flexibly
Remember 'wèizi' can mean both a physical seat and an abstract position or role.
Avoid Overuse in Formal Writing
While common, 'wèizi' can sound informal. Consider '座位' or '位置' in very formal written contexts.
Offering Your Seat
In Chinese culture, offering your 'wèizi' to the elderly, pregnant women, or those in need is a sign of respect and politeness.
Examples
4 of 4请问这里有空位子吗？
Excuse me, is there a free seat here?
他刚得到一个很好的工作位子。
He just got a very good job position.
请把这个位子让给老人。
Please give this seat to the elderly.
在这个项目中，每个人都有不可替代的位子。
In this project, everyone has an irreplaceable position.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
