cǎozì

草字

Word · Noun

cursive script; humble term for one's style name

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 5 examples
1.

noun

character written in cursive script; cursive script character

formal

Refers to the individual characters written in the fluid, simplified style of Chinese calligraphy known as cursive script.

Tā他
shàn擅
cháng长
shū书
xiě写
cǎo草
zì字
 ,
zì字
xíng形
liú流
chàng畅
yōu优
měi美
 。

He is skilled at writing cursive script characters; their forms are fluid and graceful.

Zhè这
fú幅
shū书
fǎ法
zuò作
pǐn品
shàng上
de的
cǎo草
zì字
lóng龙
fēi飞
fèng凤
wǔ舞
 。

The cursive characters on this calligraphy work are vigorous and unrestrained.

Show 1 more example
Biàn辨
rèn认
gǔ古
dài代
bēi碑
tiè帖
shàng上
de的
cǎo草
zì字
xū需
yào要
zhuān专
mén门
de的
xùn训
liàn练
 。

Deciphering cursive characters on ancient stone rubbings requires specialized training.

2.

noun

(archaic) humble term for one's own style name (zi)

archaic

Used in classical and formal contexts to refer to one's own 'zi' (style name adopted in adulthood) in a self-deprecating manner. This usage is obsolete in modern Chinese.

Zài在
xià下
cǎo草
zì字
wén文
zhèng正
 ,
qǐng请
duō多
zhǐ指
jiào教
 。

My humble style name is Wenzheng; I'd be grateful for your guidance.

Gǔ古
rén人
xiě写
xìn信
shí时
 ,
cháng常
yòng用
 “
cǎo草
zì字
mǒu某
mǒu某
 ”
zì自
chēng称
 。

When writing letters, ancient people often referred to themselves as 'your humble servant, So-and-so' using their style name.