平实 (píng shí) — (of writing, speech, or character) simple and natural; unadorned; (of land, ground, or terrain) level; even; smooth

Definition

Describes writing, speech, or character that is plain and unadorned, without flourish. As land/ground, it means level and even — the flat opposite of 崎岖.

adjective
(of writing, speech, or character) simple and naturalunadorned(of land, ground, or terrain) levelevensmooth
Easily confused

Examples

  • 平实，。
    Zhè běn shū de yǔ yán hěn píng shí, dú qǐ lái hěn shū fu.
    The language of this book is very simple and natural; it's comfortable to read.
  • 平实，。
    Tā de xìng gé hěn píng shí, dà jiā dōu hěn xǐ huan tā.
    His personality is simple and genuine; everyone likes him very much.
  • 平实，。
    Zhè ge guǎng chǎng de dì miàn hěn píng shí, fēi cháng shì hé pǎo bù.
    The ground of this square is very level; it's very suitable for running.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

平pínglevel
实shísolid

平 means level and 实 means solid, together describing something even, firm, and unadorned.

Characters in this word

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

The origin is uncertain. One explanation combines 八 (division) and 亏 (exhaled air) to show smooth speech.

Open 平 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

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