匾

biǎn
匚 + 扁

Definitions

biǎn (noun) horizontal inscribed tablet (hung over door or on wall)
biǎn (noun) shallow round bamboo basket
pián (noun) basket-couch in coffin

Etymology

A board 扁 made of bamboo 匸; 扁 also provides the pronunciation

About

The character 匾 (biǎn) is a phono-semantic compound for a horizontal inscribed plaque, often made of wood or bamboo and hung above doorways or inside halls. Its structure pairs the radical 匚 (fāng, 'box'), which wraps around the left and bottom to frame a rectangular object, with the phonetic 扁 (biǎn) inside. The component 扁 not only supplies the pronunciation but also visually conveys flatness and width. Traditionally, such plaques bear large calligraphy of a building's name, a business title, or an idiomatic phrase honoring a person or event.

Example Sentences Hide

门上挂着一块匾。

Mén shàng guà zhe yī kuài biǎn.

There is a plaque hanging on the door.

这块匾上写着三个字。

Zhè kuài biǎn shàng xiě zhe sān gè zì.

There are three characters written on this plaque.

我们公司收到了一块感谢匾。

Wǒmen gōngsī shōu dào le yī kuài gǎnxiè biǎn.

Our company received a plaque of appreciation.

那个寺庙的匾额非常古老。

Nàgè sìmiào de biǎn'é fēicháng gǔlǎo.

The horizontal inscribed board of that temple is very ancient.

他仔细擦拭了那块珍贵的匾。

Tā zǐxì cāshì le nà kuài zhēnguì de biǎn.

He carefully wiped that precious plaque.

这块匾是由著名书法家题写的。

Zhè kuài biǎn shì yóu zhùmíng shūfǎjiā tíxiě de.

This plaque was inscribed by a famous calligrapher.

在博物馆里，我们看到了许多历史悠久的匾。

Zài bówùguǎn lǐ, wǒmen kàn dào le xǔduō lìshǐ yōujiǔ de biǎn.

In the museum, we saw many plaques with a long history.

尽管年代久远，但那块匾上的字迹依然清晰可辨。

Jǐnguǎn niándài jiǔyuǎn, dàn nà kuài biǎn shàng de zìjì yīrán qīngxī kě biàn.

Despite its age, the handwriting on that plaque is still clear and recognizable.

Related Characters

Component: 匚

区 医 汇 匹 匠 匪 虐 匿 匣 匡 匮 惬 疟 匝

Component: 扁

编 篇 遍 偏 骗 翩 蝙 谝 鳊 煸 褊 碥 蹁 編

Example Words

匾额 牌匾