帛

bó

巾 + 白

Definitions

bó silk

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 巾 represents the meaning and 白 represents the sound.

Semantic: 巾 Phonetic: 白

About

帛 combines 白 (bái) on top and 巾 (cloth) on the bottom. It is a phono-semantic compound: 巾 indicates the meaning, while 白 gives the sound. Originally referring to plain, undyed white silk fabrics, it was a highly prized commodity in ancient times. Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass silk textiles in general, and it came to represent wealth, currency, and luxury gifts in classical Chinese texts. It is often paired with 金 (gold) or 玉 (jade) to evoke the ultimate in material wealth.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 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 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 Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这块帛很漂亮。

Zhè kuài bó hěn piàoliang.

This piece of silk is very beautiful.

她喜欢帛制的衣服。

Tā xǐhuan bó zhì de yīfu.

She likes clothes made of silk.

博物馆里有古代帛书。

Bówùguǎn lǐ yǒu gǔdài bóshū.

There are ancient silk manuscripts in the museum.

这幅帛画颜色鲜艳。

Zhè fú bóhuà yánsè xiānyàn.

This silk painting has bright colors.

古代中国常用玉帛作为礼物。

Gǔdài Zhōngguó cháng yòng yùbó zuòwéi lǐwù.

Ancient China often used jade and silk as gifts.

这些帛制品展示了精湛的工艺。

Zhèxiē bó zhìpǐn zhǎnshì le jīngzhàn de gōngyì.

These silk products demonstrate exquisite craftsmanship.

帛与布相比，更加柔软光滑。

Bó yǔ bù xiāng bǐ, gèng jiā róuruǎn guānghuá.

Compared to cloth, silk is softer and smoother.

由于帛的质地细腻，它常被用于制作高级礼服。

Yóuyú bó de zhìdì xìnì, tā cháng bèi yòng yú zhìzuò gāojí lǐfú.

Due to silk's fine texture, it is often used to make high-end dresses.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 巾

Component: 白

Example Words