亭

tíng

丁 + 亠 + 冖 + 口

Definitions

tíng (noun) pavilion; gazebo

tíng (noun) kiosk; booth

tíng (verb) erect

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 京 represents the meaning and 丁 represents the sound.

About

亭 is a phonosemantic compound: the semantic component 京 ('high, elevated') conveys the idea of a tall structure with a roof, and the phonetic component 丁 indicates the sound. The character's upper part is a modified form of 京, visually evoking a roof, while the lower 丁 anchors the pronunciation. This design mirrors the pavilion or kiosk it denotes, a small, roofed, open-sided building. Historically, such structures dotted traditional gardens, parks, and roadsides, offering rest to travelers and messengers. Today, the character also applies to small public booths or stalls.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

公园里有一个亭子。

Gōngyuán lǐ yǒu yī gè tíngzi.

There is a pavilion in the park.

这个亭子很漂亮。

Zhège tíngzi hěn piàoliang.

This pavilion is very beautiful.

我们在亭子里休息。

Wǒmen zài tíngzi lǐ xiūxi.

We are resting in the pavilion.

路边有一个邮亭。

Lù biān yǒu yī gè yóu tíng.

There is a postal kiosk by the road.

老人常在凉亭下棋。

Lǎorén cháng zài liáng tíng xià qí.

Old men often play chess in the cool pavilion.

学校附近的书亭卖很多杂志。

Xuéxiào fùjìn de shū tíng mài hěn duō zázhì.

The book kiosk near the school sells many magazines.

如果你累了，可以去亭子里坐一会儿。

Rúguǒ nǐ lèi le, kěyǐ qù tíngzi lǐ zuò yīhuǐr.

If you are tired, you can go sit in the pavilion for a while.

那座古老的亭子见证了历史的变迁。

Nà zuò gǔlǎo de tíngzi jiànzhèng le lìshǐ de biànqiān.

That ancient pavilion has witnessed the changes of history.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 丁

Component: 亠

Component: 冖

Component: 口

亭