榜

牓

bǎng, bàng, péng

旁 + 木

Definitions

bǎng (noun) public notice; announcement board; list; ranking

Etymology

A sign posted 旁 on a tree 木; 旁 also provides the pronunciation

About

榜 is a phono-semantic compound composed of 木 (wood) on the left, indicating the material of the original object, a wooden board or placard for public announcements. On the right, 旁 provides the pronunciation and also contributes a semantic hint, as 旁 means 'side', suggesting something posted on the side for others to see. Historically, such boards were used to display lists of successful candidates in the imperial examinations, and the character's meaning shifted from the physical board to the list or ranking itself. In contemporary usage, 榜 covers all sorts of rankings, lists, and bulletin boards, from music charts to bestseller lists, completely detached from the need for wood.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

榜上有很多名字。

Bǎng shàng yǒu hěnduō míngzì.

There are many names on the list.

他是我们的好榜样。

Tā shì wǒmen de hǎo bǎngyàng.

He is our good role model.

音乐排行榜很受欢迎。

Yīnyuè páihángbǎng hěn shòu huānyíng.

Music charts are very popular.

发榜那天我很紧张。

Fābǎng nà tiān wǒ hěn jǐnzhāng.

On the day the list was posted, I was very nervous.

这张榜单列出了前十名。

Zhè zhāng bǎngdān lièchū le qián shí míng.

This list shows the top ten names.

榜样力量是无穷的。

Bǎngyàng lìliàng shì wúqióng de.

The power of role models is infinite.

根据榜单，我们队排名第三。

Gēnjù bǎngdān, wǒmen duì páimíng dì sān.

According to the list, our team ranks third.

虽然榜上无名，但他并不失望。

Suīrán bǎng shàng wú míng, dàn tā bìng bù shīwàng.

Although his name is not on the list, he is not disappointed.

Related Characters

Component: 旁

Component: 木

榜