哀子 (āizǐ): a son in mourning for his decea…

Meanings

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

Characters

哀

Examples

古时候，哀子是指丧母之人。

Gǔ shíhou, āizǐ shì zhǐ sàng mǔ zhī rén.

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

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 (gūāizǐ) = son who has lost both parents. Still seen on traditional funeral notices.