碧绿 (bì lǜ) — dark green, emerald green | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literary written word for 'dark/emerald green,' used for scenery, water, and foliage. More formal than 翠绿, which leans toward a brighter, jade-like green-blue.

adjective

dark greenemerald green

Examples

，碧绿。
Chūn tiān dào le, bì lǜ de hú shuǐ ràng rén xīn kuàng shén yí.
Spring has arrived, and the emerald green lake water makes people feel relaxed and joyful.
碧绿。
bì lǜ De shù yè zài yáng guāng xià shǎn shǎn fā guāng.
The dark green leaves sparkle in the sunlight.
碧绿。
Tā dài le yì tiáo bì lǜ de sī jīn.
She wore a dark green silk scarf.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

碧 (jade) + 绿 (green) means green like jade.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

王石白碧

Meaning part形符xíngfú

王Written in full as玉yùjade

石石shístone

Sound part声符shēngfú

白

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

碧 combines 王 (jade, written fully as 玉) and 石 (stone), with 白 giving the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 綠; 绿 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mì

Sound part声符shēngfú

彔

彔lù綠lù

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 綠 uses 糸 to show silk and 彔 for sound; the simplified 绿 is a later abbreviation, so its parts are not the original pieces.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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