noun HSK 2
spoon · ladle
Meaning
勺子 is the everyday word for a spoon or ladle used for eating or serving. It's a common kitchen utensil word that combines 勺 (ladle/spoon) with the diminutive suffix 子. This is one of the basic tableware items learned early when studying Chinese.
Usage
Native speakers use 勺子 for both Western-style spoons and Chinese soup spoons. In restaurants, you might ask for 勺子 if you need a spoon. The word can refer to spoons of various sizes, from teaspoons to serving ladles. It's a neutral, everyday term suitable for all contexts.
Examples
- 01请给我一把勺子。.Please give me a spoon.
- 02我用勺子喝汤。.I use a spoon to drink soup.
Characters
Measure words
- 把一把勺子
- 个一个勺子
Common collocations
- 一把勺子a spoon
- 汤勺soup spoon
- 茶勺teaspoon
- 用勺子to use a spoon
Origin
勺 is the main morpheme meaning spoon or ladle. 子 is a common diminutive suffix attached to many everyday objects in Mandarin, making the word feel more colloquial and concrete.