半吊子

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Chinese

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half; semi-; incomplete
half; semi-; incomplete; (after a number) and a half
 
to hang; to suspend
child; son; (noun suffix)
child; son; (noun suffix); small thing; seed; egg; 1st earthly branch; 11 p.m.–1 a.m., midnight
 
trad. (半吊子/半弔子) /
simp. (半吊子)
Literally: “one who is half a diao”.

Etymology

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In ancient China, a diao () was a thousand copper coins strung together. Half a diao (半吊) referred to five hundred coins, and became to be used metaphorically for someone who is deficient in skills or mental capacity. Compare 二百五 (èrbǎiwǔ).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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半吊子

  1. (figurative, colloquial, derogatory) one who lacks adequate knowledge or skills; dilettante; smatterer; dabbler
  2. (figurative, colloquial, derogatory) hot-headed or impulsive person; one who leaves tasks unfinished, or the tasks which are unfinished

Synonyms

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