Definitions

(noun) currency; money

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The simplified character 币 derives from the traditional form 幣, a phono-semantic compound. Its structure combines the semantic cloth radical 巾 at the base with the phonetic component 敝 on top. The cloth radical indicates that rolls of silk and textiles served as early forms of money, gifts, and tribute before standardized coinage. Over time, the character's meaning broadened to encompass all currency and legal tender. The modern simplification replaces the complex upper phonetic element with a single downward stroke over the cloth radical, streamlining the form while preserving its monetary meaning.

Etymology Hide

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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢人民

Wǒ xǐhuān rénmínbì.

I like Renminbi.

我找到了一个硬

Wǒ zhǎodàole yīgè yìngbì.

I found a coin.

这张纸很旧。

Zhè zhāng zhǐbì hěn jiù.

This banknote is very old.

美元是一种货

Měiyuán shì yī zhǒng huòbì.

The US dollar is a type of currency.

我需要兑换一些外

Wǒ xūyào duìhuàn yīxiē wàibì.

I need to exchange some foreign currency.

比特的价格波动很大。

Bǐtèbì de jiàgé bōdòng hěn dà.

The price of Bitcoin fluctuates greatly.

这些金具有收藏价值。

Zhèxiē jīnbì jùyǒu shōucáng jiàzhí.

These gold coins have collectible value.

中央银行负责发行法定货

Zhōngyāng yínháng fùzé fāxíng fǎdìng huòbì.

The central bank is responsible for issuing legal tender.