Definitions

tīng (noun) hall; living room
tīng (noun) government office; department

Etymology

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

Semantic: 广 Phonetic:

About

The character for "hall" or "office", traditionally written as "廳", etymologically originates from the building radical "广" combined with "聽", meaning to listen, which historically denoted a courtroom or administrative space where officials heard and resolved matters. Over time, its meaning broadened from these judicial contexts to encompass any large room designed for specific functions, such as government bureaus, reception areas, and eventually domestic living rooms. The simplified form "厅" retains the architectural association through the radical "厂" while incorporating "丁" as a phonetic component, reflecting a structural streamlining that continues to convey the idea of a dedicated space for communal or administrative activities.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们在客看电视。

Wǒmen zài kètīng kàn diànshì.

We watch TV in the living room.

里有很多人。

Cāntīng lǐ yǒu hěnduō rén.

There are many people in the restaurant.

的灯很明亮。

Dàtīng de dēng hěn míngliàng.

The lights in the hall are very bright.

他去办公工作了。

Tā qù bàngōngtīng gōngzuò le.

He went to work at the office.

我们在音乐听音乐会。

Wǒmen zài yīnyuètīng tīng yīnyuèhuì.

We listen to a concert at the concert hall.

如果客干净,客人会高兴。

Rúguǒ kètīng gānjìng, kèrén huì gāoxìng.

If the living room is clean, the guests will be happy.

虽然大很大,但是人不多。

Suīrán dàtīng hěn dà, dànshì rén bù duō.

Although the hall is big, there aren't many people.

政府办公发布了新的政策。

Zhèngfǔ bàngōngtīng fābù le xīn de zhèngcè.

The government office released a new policy.