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别的 (bié de) — else; other

Definition

Casual pronoun for 'other / else', usually before a noun. Use 其他 in writing; 别 tends to be spoken and contrasts with 这 / 那 ('this / that').

pronoun
elseother

Examples

  • 别的？
    Nǐ xiǎng hē bié de ma?
    Do you want to drink something else?
  • 别的。
    Wǒ méi yǒu bié de shū.
    I don't have any other books.
  • ，别的？
    Chú le zhè xiē, nǐ hái yǒu bié de ma?
    Besides these, do you have others?

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

别biéother
的de

别 means other; with 的 it points to other things or other ones.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 別; 别 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 別 pairs 冎 (bone) with 刀 (knife), showing a knife cutting up bone and flesh. The simplified 别 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical components.

Open 别 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
白白báiwhite
Sound part声符shēngfú
勺
勺sháo的de
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

的 pairs 白, related to white or brightness, with 勺, which gives a clue to the sound. Its older form 旳 meant bright.

Open 的 →
Appears in
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