贲 (bēn) — (bound form, literary) large, energetic; used in historical terms like 虎贲 (hǔbēn) 'imperial guard'
Definition
Literary, bound form meaning 'large and vigorous.' Almost always seen inside 虎贲 (hǔbēn), referring to the emperor's elite Tiger Guard.
bound form
(bound form, literary) largeenergeticused in historical terms like 虎贲 (hǔbēn) 'imperial guard'
Easily confused
Examples
- 贲。Hǔ bēn jūn shì gǔ dài de jīng ruì bù duì.The Tiger Guard Corps was an elite unit in ancient times.
- 贲。Gǔ dài dì wáng shēn biān cháng yǒu hǔ bēn hù wèi.Ancient emperors often had Tiger Guards as escorts.
- 贲。Hǔ bēn jūn yǐ yǒng měng zhōng chéng zhù chēng.The Tiger Guard was known for bravery and loyalty.
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 賁; 贲 is its simplified writing.
Meaning part形符xíngfú
貝貝bèicowry
Sound part声符shēngfú
卉
卉huì賁bēn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 賁 pairs 貝 (cowry) with 卉, which gave the sound; the simplified 贲 is a later shorthand.
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