Overview
The word 鼻子 (bí zi) means "nose" in Mandarin Chinese. It refers to the physical organ on the face used for breathing and smelling.
Usage in Daily Life
鼻子 is commonly used to describe the shape, condition, or function of the nose. For example, you might talk about a high nose bridge, a stuffy nose during a cold, or the act of smelling something.
Common Collocations
- 鼻子堵塞 (bí zi dǔ sè): nose congestion, often used when describing a cold or allergies.
- 鼻子不通气 (bí zi bù tōng qì): nose is blocked, hard to breathe.
- 用鼻子闻 (yòng bí zi wén): to smell with the nose.
Notes
鼻子 is a neutral and very common noun. It is not used metaphorically in everyday speech as often as some other body parts might be. When describing facial features, 鼻子 is often paired with adjectives like 高 (high), 大 (big), or 小 (small).
Avoid confusing 鼻子 with 鼻孔 (bí kǒng), which specifically means "nostril." 鼻子 refers to the whole nose structure.