哀子

āizǐ

noun

Meanings

1 a son in mourning for his deceased mother
2 (archaic) son orphaned of his mother

Characters

grief / mourning

Examples

HSK 7-9

古时候，哀子是指丧母之人。

Gǔshíhou, āizǐ shì zhǐ sàng mǔ zhī rén.

In ancient times, 'āizǐ' referred to a person whose mother had died.

HSK 7-9

讣告上署名“哀子某某”。

Fùgào shàng shǔmíng " āizǐ mǒumǒu ".

The obituary was signed 'mourning son so-and-so'.

Tips

culture

Classical Chinese mourning vocabulary distinguishes who has died: 孤子 (gūzǐ) = son who has lost his father; 哀子 (āizǐ) = son who has lost his mother; 孤哀子 (gū'āizǐ) = son who has lost both parents. Still seen on traditional funeral notices.

Stroke Order

哀 āi

子 zǐ