Definitions

pái (verb) to arrange; to line up; to put in order
pái (noun) row; line
pái (verb) to eliminate; to drain
pái (verb) to push open

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "排" is structured with the hand radical (扌) on the left and the component "非" on the right, where "非" primarily functions as a phonetic element. Its original meaning involved physical actions such as pushing or arranging objects in order. Over centuries, its semantic scope expanded to include forming rows or sequences, as seen in terms like "排队" (to line up), and also took on abstract senses such as excluding or expelling, exemplified by "排斥" (to exclude). The hand radical consistently links the character to manual activity, while the right component contributes to its pronunciation and, in some contexts, nuances of separation or opposition.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们在队买票。

Wǒmen zài páiduì mǎi piào.

We are lining up to buy tickets.

妈妈安了明天的行程。

Māma ānpái le míngtiān de xíngchéng.

Mom arranged tomorrow's schedule.

这些书按大小列。

Zhèxiē shū àn dàxiǎo páiliè.

These books are arranged by size.

斥新的想法。

Tā páichì xīn de xiǎngfǎ.

He rejects new ideas.

乐队正在演新歌曲。

Yuèduì zhèngzài páiyǎn xīn gēqǔ.

The band is rehearsing a new song.

工程师设计了水系统。

Gōngchéngshī shèjì le páishuǐ xìtǒng.

The engineer designed a drainage system.

他帮助解了纠纷。

Tā bāngzhù páijiě le jiūfēn.

He helped resolve the dispute.

他们除了这个选项。

Tāmen páichú le zhège xuǎnxiàng.

They excluded this option.