Definitions

tíng (noun) palace courtyard; imperial court

Etymology

Depicts a person standing on the ground (𡈼) in front of a corner of a courtyard (𠃊). Based on the original meaning "courtyard", now written as .

Semantic:

About

The character "廷" originally referred to the courtyard or open area in front of a palace hall, with its meaning later expanding to denote the imperial court as a center of governance. Its traditional form is composed of the radical "廴", which suggests extension or movement, and the component "壬", functioning primarily as a phonetic element in this construction. Over time, the term shifted from describing a physical space to representing the abstract institution of courtly authority, thereby becoming integral to compounds such as "朝廷" for the royal court and "宫廷" for the palace, reflecting its semantic transition from a location to a concept of administration.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

发布了新法令。

Cháo tíng fā bù le xīn fǎ lìng.

The imperial court issued a new decree.

里举行盛大宴会。

Gōng tíng lǐ jǔ xíng shèng dà yàn huì.

A grand banquet was held in the palace.

尉负责审理重大案件。

Tíng wèi fù zé shěn lǐ zhòng dà àn jiàn.

The Commandant of Justice is responsible for trying major cases.

皇帝召开议讨论国事。

Huáng dì zhào kāi tíng yì tǎo lùn guó shì.

The emperor convened a court discussion to discuss state affairs.

臣们纷纷上奏建议。

Tíng chén men fēn fēn shàng zòu jiàn yì.

The courtiers successively submitted memorials with suggestions.

古代杖是一种严厉惩罚。

Gǔ dài tíng zhàng shì yī zhǒng yán lì chéng fá.

In ancient times, court beating was a severe punishment.

他通过试成为进士。

Tā tōng guò tíng shì chéng wéi jìn shì.

He passed the palace examination and became a jinshi.

对时他表现出色,深受赞赏。

Tíng duì shí tā biǎo xiàn chū sè, shēn shòu zàn shǎng.

During the imperial interview, he performed excellently and was highly praised.