卑

bēi

丿 + 十 + 白

Definitions

bēi (adjective) low; humble

bēi (adjective) inferior; base

Etymology

Pictograph of a hand holding a tool used by servants.

About

The character 卑 originates from a pictograph of a hand holding a tool used by servants, symbolizing humble service and menial labor. Over time, the form evolved into its current structure: a top section enclosing 田 (tián) and a vertical stroke crossing a horizontal line at the bottom. Its core meaning of low social rank or inferior status then expanded to describe low-lying land and, more abstractly, actions or people considered despicable or base.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 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 Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical 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

他的手段很卑劣。

Tā de shǒuduàn hěn bēiliè.

His methods are very despicable.

我鄙视卑鄙的人。

Wǒ bǐshì bēibǐ de rén.

I despise despicable people.

不要有自卑的心理。

Bùyào yǒu zìbēi de xīnlǐ.

Don't have an inferiority complex.

她出身卑微但很努力。

Tā chūshēn bēiwēi dàn hěn nǔlì.

She comes from a humble background but works very hard.

他用卑鄙的方式赢了比赛。

Tā yòng bēibǐ de fāngshì yíngle bǐsài.

He won the match in a despicable way.

卑微的工作也需要尊重。

Bēiwēi de gōngzuò yě xūyào zūnzhòng.

Even humble work needs respect.

地位卑贱不代表人格低下。

Dìwèi bēijiàn bù dàibiǎo réngé dīxià.

Low status does not mean low character.

他克服了自卑感，变得自信。

Tā kèfúle zìbēigǎn, biàn dé zìxìn.

He overcame his inferiority complex and became confident.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 丿

Component: 十

Component: 白

Example Words