Definitions

(noun) wall; rampart

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 壁, meaning wall, is structurally composed of the earth radical 土 positioned beneath the phonetic component 辟, which historically indicated its pronunciation. Its etymology reflects an initial association with walls constructed from pounded earth or clay, a common building material in early periods. Over time, the meaning of 壁 expanded beyond earthen structures to denote walls of any material, including interior partitions and defensive fortifications, while also extending into metaphorical uses for barriers or cliffs in certain contexts.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
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

这面墙需要粉刷。

Zhè miàn qiángbì xūyào fěnshuā.

This wall needs to be painted.

我昨天买了新的纸。

Wǒ zuótiān mǎi le xīn de bìzhǐ.

I bought new wallpaper yesterday.

墙上有一幅画。

Qiáng shàng yǒu yī fú bìhuà.

There is a mural on the wall.

炉里的火很温暖。

Bìlú lǐ de huǒ hěn wēnnuǎn.

The fire in the fireplace is very warm.

橱里放满了衣服。

Bìchú lǐ fàng mǎn le yīfu.

The closet is full of clothes.

虎在墙上爬行。

Bìhǔ zài qiáng shàng páxíng.

The gecko is crawling on the wall.

贸易垒应该被消除。

Màoyì bìlěi yīnggāi bèi xiāochú.

Trade barriers should be eliminated.

他在打球时受伤了。

Tā zài dǎ bìqiú shí shòushāng le.

He was injured while playing squash.