Meaning
镜子 is the common everyday word for a mirror or any reflective surface used to see one's reflection. The character 镜 means 'mirror' and 子 is a common diminutive suffix that makes the word feel more colloquial and natural in speech.
Usage
This is the standard word used in daily life for mirrors. Native speakers use it when talking about bathroom mirrors, handheld mirrors, or any reflective surface for checking appearance. It's neutral in register and appropriate in all contexts. The 子 suffix is almost always included in everyday speech; saying just 镜 alone sounds literary or formal.
Examples
- 01她每天早上都要照镜子。.She looks in the mirror every morning.
- 02浴室里的镜子碎了。.The mirror in the bathroom broke.
Characters
Measure words
- 面一面镜子
- 块一块镜子
Common collocations
- 照镜子to look in the mirror
- 穿衣镜full-length mirror
- 后视镜rearview mirror
- 化妆镜makeup mirror
Origin
The character 镜 originally depicted a bronze mirror in ancient China, containing the metal radical 金. The suffix 子 was added in vernacular Chinese to create the everyday spoken form.