丙

bǐng

一 + 内

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HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

bǐng third of the ten Heavenly Stems 十天干[shí tiān gān]; third in order; letter "C" or Roman "III" in list "A, B, C", or "I, II, III" etc; ancient Chinese compass point: 165°; propyl

Etymology

Depicts a platform to put things on. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

丙 is the third of the ten Heavenly Stems. Originally it depicted a platform or stand for placing things, but its current meaning is a phonetic loan used abstractly. It universally marks the third position in a sequence, much like the letter C in alphabetical ordering or grading systems. In traditional Chinese philosophy, it is associated with the fire element and the southern direction. This character commonly appears in legal documents, contracts, and academic grading to designate a third party or third rank.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是丙级产品。

Zhè shì bǐng jí chǎn pǐn.

This is a class C product.

丙烷是一种气体燃料。

Bǐng wán shì yī zhǒng qì tǐ rán liào.

Propane is a type of gas fuel.

丙烯常用于制造塑料。

Bǐng xī cháng yòng yú zhì zào sù liào.

Propylene is often used in making plastics.

丙酸可以用于食品防腐。

Bǐng suān kě yǐ yòng yú shí pǐn fáng fǔ.

Propionic acid can be used for food preservation.

丙肝是一种肝脏疾病。

Bǐng gān shì yī zhǒng gān zàng jí bìng.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease.

丙酮在实验室里很常见。

Bǐng tóng zài shí yàn shì lǐ hěn cháng jiàn.

Acetone is very common in laboratories.

丙种球蛋白能增强免疫力。

Bǐng zhǒng qiú dàn bái néng zēng qiáng miǎn yì lì.

Gamma globulin can enhance immunity.

根据测试结果，他被分到了丙班。

Gēn jù cè shì jié guǒ, tā bèi fēn dào le bǐng bān.

Based on the test results, he was assigned to class C.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 一

Component: 内

Example Words