In ancient Chinese both characters for k’uai tzu (quick ones) were written with the bamboo radical, suggesting the material with which chopsticks were initially made.
Muistses hiina keeles sisaldavad k’uai tzu (’ kiired ’) mõlemad kirjamärgid bambust tähistavat võtit, andes niiviisi viite materjalile, millest söömispulki algselt valmistati.