碧波 (bì bō) — (literary) emerald-green waves; clear, blue-gre…

Definition

Literary word for 'emerald waves' — a poetic image of clear, blue-green water. Used in writing and scenery descriptions, not everyday speech.

noun

(literary) emerald-green wavesclearblue-green ripples

碧波，。
Hú miàn shàng bì bō dàng yàng, jǐng sè shí fēn měi lì.
Emerald waves rippled on the lake, and the scenery was very beautiful.
碧波。
Xiǎo chuán zài bì bō zhōng huǎn huǎn qián xíng.
The small boat slowly moved forward through the blue-green waves.
，碧波顷，。
Yuǎn wàng dà hǎi, bì bō wàn qǐng, lìng rén xīn kuàng shén yí.
Gazing at the distant sea, the vast expanse of emerald waves was refreshing and soothing.

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bìblue-green

'碧' gives the clear blue-green color and '波' the ripples, together meaning blue-green waves.

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.

氵皮波

Meaning part形符xíngfú

氵Written in full as水shuǐwater

Sound part声符shēngfú

皮

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

The left side 氵 is water, and the right side 皮 gives the sound.