篦 (bì) — fine-tooth comb
Definition
篦 (bì) is a bound morpheme meaning 'fine-tooth comb,' used as a classifier-bound noun (篦子). It refers specifically to a comb with very dense teeth, traditionally used to remove lice and nits — denser than an ordinary 梳子.
bound form
fine-tooth comb
Easily confused
- 闭bìsound-aliketo close, to shut
- 必bìsound-alikecertainly; must; necessarily; will (expressing necessity or certainty)
- 毙bìsound-aliketo die (violently, especially by shooting or execution)
- 避bìsound-aliketo avoid; to evade; to keep away from; to shun
- 毕bìsound-alike(bound form) to finish, to complete
- 秘bìsound-alike(surname) a Chinese family name
Examples
- 篦。Zhè ge bì zi hěn xì mì.This fine-tooth comb has very fine teeth.
- 篦。Tā yòng bì zi bǎ tóu fa shū dé hěn shùn.She used a fine-tooth comb to smooth her hair.
- 篦。Nǎi nai shuō lǎo bì zi kě yǐ qù diào shī zi.Grandma said the old fine-tooth comb can remove lice.
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.
Sound part声符shēngfú
𣬉
𣬉𣬉篦bì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
篦 is built from 竹, bamboo, and 𣬉, which gives the sound.
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