笔 (bǐ) — writing instrument (pen, pencil, brush); classifier for sums of money or deals
Definition
In modern usage 笔 usually means a pen (the everyday writing tool); it is also a classifier for sums of money or deals, as in 一笔钱 ('a sum of money'). Note: 支 is the standard measure word for pens, while 枝 is used for pens in a more literary style.
writing instrument (pen, pencil, brush)classifier for sums of money or deals
Measure word · 支, 枝
Examples
- 笔。Qǐng yòng zhè zhī bǐ xiě zì.Please use this pen to write.
- 笔？Wǒ de bǐ zài nǎ lǐ?Where is my pen?
- 笔。Tā yǒu yì bǐ qián.He has a sum of money.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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.
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.
Appears in
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