巴

bā

Definitions

bā (verb) to long for; to wish; to cling to; to stick to

bā (particle) particle used as nominalizing suffix

Etymology

Depicts a person grabbing something with their hand. Original form of 把. In modern Chinese this character is usually used only for its sound.

About

巴 originally depicted a person grabbing something with their hand, serving as the early form of 把. The idea of grasping extended to meanings like clinging, adhering, and earnestly hoping. In modern Chinese, the character is used almost exclusively for its sound to transliterate foreign terms, such as 巴士 (bus) and many geographical names.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

巴西是一个国家。

Bāxī shì yī gè guójiā.

Brazil is a country.

巴黎是法国首都。

Bālí shì Fǎguó shǒudū.

Paris is the capital of France.

他打了我一巴掌。

Tā dǎle wǒ yī bāzhǎng.

He slapped me.

我巴不得早点回家。

Wǒ bābude zǎo diǎn huí jiā.

I can't wait to go home early.

他喜欢巴结领导。

Tā xǐhuan bājie lǐngdǎo.

He likes to curry favor with the leader.

小狗摇着尾巴跑。

Xiǎo gǒu yáo zhe wěiba pǎo.

The puppy runs wagging its tail.

他嘴巴张得很大。

Tā zuǐba zhāng dé hěn dà.

His mouth is wide open.

我巴望着假期到来。

Wǒ bāwàng zhe jiàqī dàolái.

I am eagerly looking forward to the holiday.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 巴

巴