() — (bound form) to shelter, protect, shield (used in compounds)

Definition

庇 is a bound form used only inside set compounds like 庇护, 包庇, 庇佑 — it never stands alone. Sense varies by compound: 庇护 = shelter, 包庇 = harbor (a criminal), 庇佑 = bless/protect (often spiritual).

bound form
to shelterprotectshield (used in compounds)

Examples

  • Zhè ge guó jiā wèi zhàn zhēng zhōng de nàn mín tí gōng bì hù.
    This country provides shelter for refugees from war.
  • Tā de xíng wéi bèi rèn wéi shì bāo bì zuì fàn.
    His actions were considered covering up for a criminal.
  • Dāng dì rén xiāng xìn zhè zuò shān néng bì yòu tā men.
    The locals believe this mountain can protect them.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
广广guǎnghouse that is built to depend on a cliff
Sound part声符shēngfú
Same sound today

庇 shows 广, a house built to depend on a cliff, alongside 比, which gives its sound.

Appears in

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