Dictionary🇨🇳 Chinese → 🇺🇸 English
Chinese to English Dictionary
起子
qǐzi
Description
起子是一种工具，可以用来打开瓶盖或者拧螺丝。
A 起子 is a tool used to open bottle caps or tighten screws.
在中国北方，起子也可以指做面食时用的酵母。
In northern China, 起子 can also refer to yeast used in making noodles.
Meanings
起子qǐzi
screwdriver
请给我一把起子，我要拧这个螺丝。
Please give me a screwdriver; I need to tighten this screw.
起子qǐzi
bottle opener
用起子把这瓶啤酒打开吧。
Use a bottle opener to open this beer.
起子qǐzi
leaven; yeast for making dough
做馒头要放一点起子。
You need to add a bit of yeast to make steamed buns.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
起 (raise/lift/open) + 子 (noun suffix), literally a tool to 'open' or 'raise' things.
- Nuance
for screwdriver, 螺丝刀 is more standard; 起子 is more colloquial and northern.
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