Suffixes 家, 子, and 员
Learn Suffixes 家, 子, and 员 with practical HSK 3 examples, focus vocabulary, common pitfalls, and targeted cloze practice.
Pattern
noun-forming suffixes
Use this HSK 3 pattern to make sentence structure, scope, or emphasis explicit instead of relying on word-for-word English order.
他是一位画家。
When to use Suffixes 家, 子, and 员
Read noun-forming suffixes as a sentence tool, not just as vocabulary. First locate the main action or claim, then ask what 家 adds to it.
这个句子里的家让意思更清楚。
The 家 in this sentence makes the meaning clearer.
如果不用家，句子的重点会不一样。
Without 家, the sentence focus would be different.
他说得很自然，因为他知道家的位置。
He spoke naturally because he knew where 家 belongs.
Common traps
- Do not translate noun-forming suffixes mechanically from English; check the Chinese word order first.
- Keep 家 close to the part of the sentence it controls.
- Do not overuse the pattern in every sentence; use it when it adds a clear role.
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Targeted drill
Practice this exact pattern before moving on.
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