廷

tíng

壬 + 廴

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 庭.

Semantic: 廴

About

廷 originally depicted a person (𡈼) standing on the ground before a corner of a courtyard (𠃊), representing a courtyard, a meaning now written as 庭. In modern Chinese, 廷 refers to the royal court, the palace setting where a monarch meets with ministers to conduct official business, and it retains the connotation of a formal space for state actions. It appears in compounds like 朝廷 (imperial court). The character has no distinct traditional variant and serves as a component for related characters such as 庭, which broadens the meaning to domestic courtyards and legal tribunals.

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

朝廷发布了新法令。

Cháo tíng fā bù le xīn fǎ lìng.

The imperial court issued a new decree.

宫廷里举行盛大宴会。

Gōng tíng lǐ jǔ xíng shèng dà yàn huì.

A grand banquet was held in the palace.

廷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.

皇帝召开廷议讨论国事。

Huáng dì zhào kāi tíng yì tǎo lùn guó shì.

The emperor convened a court discussion to discuss state affairs.

廷臣们纷纷上奏建议。

Tíng chén men fēn fēn shàng zòu jiàn yì.

The courtiers successively submitted memorials with suggestions.

古代廷杖是一种严厉惩罚。

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

In ancient times, court beating was a severe punishment.

他通过廷试成为进士。

Tā tōng guò tíng shì chéng wéi jìn shì.

He passed the palace examination and became a jinshi.

廷对时他表现出色，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.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 壬

Component: 廴

Example Words