Definitions

tíng (noun) courtyard; yard
tíng (noun) law court

Etymology

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

About

The character "庭" is structured with the building radical "广", indicating a covered or enclosed space, combined with "廷", a component that itself denotes a court or governmental area, thus originally conveying the concept of an open courtyard before a hall or official building. Its etymology centers on a designated space for gatherings or ceremonies, often linked to authority or communal activity within a compound. Over time, the meaning expanded from strictly architectural courtyards associated with palaces or temples to include any enclosed outdoor area adjacent to a dwelling, while also developing metaphorical uses such as in legal contexts for courts of law. The character's form has remained consistent, with its components continuously reflecting the idea of a managed area related to human habitation or formal proceedings.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我有一个幸福的家

Wǒ yǒu yīgè xìngfú de jiātíng.

I have a happy family.

院里种满了花。

Tíngyuàn lǐ zhòng mǎn le huā.

The courtyard is full of flowers.

他在法上作证。

Tā zài fǎtíng shàng zuòzhèng.

He testified in court.

这个园设计很漂亮。

Zhège tíngyuán shèjì hěn piàoliang.

This garden design is very beautiful.

支持对我很重要。

Jiātíng zhīchí duì wǒ hěn zhòngyào.

Family support is very important to me.

法官在法上宣布了判决。

Fǎguān zài fǎtíng shàng xuānbù le pànjué.

The judge announced the verdict in court.

清晨的院弥漫着花香。

Qīngchén de tíngyuàn mímàn zhe huāxiāng.

The morning courtyard is filled with the fragrance of flowers.

审过程进行了三个小时。

Tíngshěn guòchéng jìnxíng le sān gè xiǎoshí.

The court hearing lasted three hours.