这笔 (zhè bǐ) — this

Definition

这笔 (zhè bǐ) is the measure-word form of 这 — used before 笔 or similar measure words where plain 这 sounds awkward. In the listed examples the classifier is implicit ('this thing').

pronoun
this

Examples

  • 这笔。
    zhè bǐ Shì wǒ de shū.
    This is my book.
  • 这笔。
    zhè bǐ Bú shì tā de.
    This is not his.
  • ，这笔？
    Qǐng wèn, zhè bǐ shì shén me?
    Excuse me, what is this?

Origin

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 這; 这 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
言
言yán這zhè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In the traditional form 這, 辶 (walk) combines with 言 for the sound. The character first meant “to meet” and was later used for “this”.

Open 这 →

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 筆; 笔 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
竹竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
聿
聿yù筆bǐ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The simplified 笔 is based on the traditional form 筆, which puts 竹 (bamboo) beside 聿 (writing brush). 聿 already meant the brush and supplied the sound; 竹 was added later to show it was made of bamboo.

Open 笔 →

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