半吊子

Chinese

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

Etymology

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


Noun

半吊子

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