彩球

cǎiqiú

noun #30,681

Measure Word

一个彩球 gè

Meanings

1 colored ball
2 decorative pom-pom / silk ball (esp. used in celebrations)

Characters

color; colorful

Examples

HSK 1

孩子们在玩彩球。

Háizi men zài wán cǎiqiú.

The children are playing with colored balls.

HSK 7-9

庆典上挂满了彩球和气球。

Qìngdiǎn shàng guà mǎn le cǎiqiú hé qìqiú.

The celebration was decorated with colored pom-poms and balloons.

Tips

culture

In old Chinese tradition, an unmarried girl would 抛彩球 ('throw the silk ball') from a high tower or stage to choose a husband - a stock plot in operas and novels like 《西游记》. Today the word covers any decorative colored ball: lottery balls, party pom-poms, gymnastic balls.

Stroke Order

彩 cǎi

球 qiú