傍

bàng

亻 + 旁

Definitions

bàng (adjective) near; close to

bàng (verb) to depend on; to rely on

Etymology

Someone 亻 by your side 旁; 旁 also provides the pronunciation

About

The character 傍 is a phono-semantic compound: the left component 亻 'person' indicates the meaning relates to people or human actions, while the right component 旁 provides the pronunciation and also means 'side'. This dual role of 旁 reinforces the sense of being beside. The original meaning is spatial, to be close to, draw near, or stand alongside someone or something. This physical proximity extended to temporal nearness, such as approaching evening or a particular time. From there, it also developed the metaphorical sense of depending on or leaning on another person, a natural extension of staying physically close.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

傍晚的天空真漂亮。

Bàngwǎn de tiānkōng zhēn piàoliang.

The evening sky is really beautiful.

小猫傍着暖气睡觉。

Xiǎo māo bàngzhe nuǎnqì shuìjiào.

The kitten sleeps by the heater.

我们的学校傍河而建。

Wǒmen de xuéxiào bàng hé ér jiàn.

Our school is built by the river.

傍晚时，公园里人很多。

Bàngwǎn shí, gōngyuán lǐ rén hěn duō.

In the evening, there are many people in the park.

他傍上了这位大老板。

Tā bàng shàngle zhè wèi dà lǎobǎn.

He has attached himself to this big boss.

傍晚上班族匆匆回家。

Bàngwǎn shàngbānzú cōngcōng huí jiā.

In the evening, office workers hurry home.

这座城市傍海发展经济。

Zhè zuò chéngshì bàng hǎi fāzhǎn jīngjì.

This city develops its economy by relying on the sea.

在商业竞争中，傍巨头是常见策略。

Zài shāngyè jìngzhēng zhōng, bàng jùtóu shì chángjiàn cèlüè.

In business competition, relying on giants is a common strategy.

Related Characters

Component: 亻

Component: 旁

傍