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  made of bamboo  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "匾" combines the radical "匚", implying a framed or enclosed area, with the component "扁", which serves phonetically and semantically to convey flatness. This structure originally represented a flat board designed for display within a border. Over centuries, the term's application shifted from a broad category of flat objects to a more specific reference to horizontally oriented plaques bearing inscribed calligraphy, commonly mounted above doors or in halls. The internal element "扁" itself denotes flatness and inscribed boards, thus aligning with the character's specialized meaning as a ceremonial or decorative inscription panel.

Example Sentences Hide

门上挂着一块

Mén shàng guà zhe yī kuài biǎn.

There is a plaque hanging on the door.

这块上写着三个字。

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

Wǒmen gōngsī shōu dào le yī kuài gǎnxiè biǎn.

Our company received a plaque of appreciation.

那个寺庙的额非常古老。

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

Tā zǐxì cāshì le nà kuài zhēnguì de biǎn.

He carefully wiped that precious plaque.

这块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

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.