底

de, dǐ

广 + 氐

HSK 2.0Level 4

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

dǐ (noun) bottom; base

dǐ (noun) end (of time period)

de (particle) possessive particle (equivalent to 的)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 广 represents the meaning and 氐 represents the sound.

Semantic: 广 Phonetic: 氐

About

底 is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 广 (shelter, building) suggests a spatial framework, while 氐 indicates the pronunciation. It first designated the lowest supporting part of a structure, giving rise to the primary senses "bottom", "base", and "underside". This concrete spatial concept then branches into numerous metaphorical uses, such as the end of a time period, the underlying details of a situation, a person's foundational background, and the base level of abstract concepts.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的书在箱子底下。

Wǒ de shū zài xiāngzi dǐxià.

My book is under the box.

你到底去不去？

Nǐ dàodǐ qù bù qù?

Are you going or not after all?

这是我们的底线。

Zhè shì wǒmen de dǐxiàn.

This is our bottom line.

河底有很多石头。

Hé dǐ yǒu hěnduō shítou.

There are many stones at the river bottom.

他知道事情的底细。

Tā zhīdào shìqíng de dǐxì.

He knows the details of the matter.

作者保存了所有底稿。

Zuòzhě bǎocúnle suǒyǒu dǐgǎo.

The author kept all the drafts.

这张底片已经曝光了。

Zhè zhāng dǐpiàn yǐjīng pūguāngle.

This negative has been exposed.

在调查彻底完成后，我们才能得出结论。

Zài diàochá chèdǐ wánchéng hòu, wǒmen cái néng déchū jiélùn.

Only after the investigation is thoroughly completed can we draw a conclusion.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 广

Component: 氐

底