Chinese word

底子

Pronunciation

Pinyindǐ zi

Meaning

  • nounfoundation

Example

他的底子不错，学东西很快。tā de dǐ zi bú cuò xué dōng xī hěn kuài

He has a good foundation, so he learns things quickly.

Illustration for 底子 (foundation)

More examples

虽然底子不厚，他还是取得了明显进步。suī rán dǐ zi bú hòu tā hái shì qǔ dé le míng xiǎn jìn bù

Although his foundation is not strong, he still made clear progress.

Core concept

Existing knowledge, skill, or natural capacity that gives someone a head start.

Common phrases

  • 有底子yǒu dǐ zi

    have a good foundation

  • 底子深厚dǐ zi shēn hòu

    have a solid foundation

  • 没底子méi dǐ zi

    have no foundation

Similar words

基础jī chǔ: Basic knowledge and skills that support later learning or work.
实力shí lì: Actual ability or strength that can be shown in performance.
根底gēn dǐ: The deepest underlying basis or root cause of a matter.
根基gēn jī: The basic foundation that allows a thing to be established and develop.

Definition in Chinese

指个人或事物原有的基础条件或根本能力，常用来形容学习或技能上的先天或已有水平。zhǐ gè rén huò shì wù yuán yǒu de jī chǔ tiáo jiàn huò gēn běn néng lì cháng yòng lái xíng róng xué xí huò jì néng shàng de xiān tiān huò yí yǒu shuǐ píng

Word origin

底子 (dǐzi, "underlying base") uses 底 (dǐ, "bottom") and 子 (zi, "noun-forming suffix") to name the conditions already underneath a person's later development.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, adjectives meaning good, deep, or thin can describe this base, with a thin base referring to limited prior training rather than poor motivation.

Other meanings

  • aptitudenoun
  • basisnoun

Opposites

  • 皮毛pí máosuperficial knowledgenoun

Related words

  • 底子儿dǐ zirfoundationnoun

Word lists with this word