Definitions

pái (noun) signboard; billboard; plate; tablet
pái (noun) playing card; mahjong tile; game piece
pái (noun) medal; badge

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 牌, whose traditional form remains identical, is structured with the radical 片 on the left, a component inherently denoting a thin, flat piece of wood, which directly informs its core meaning. This etymological foundation refers to a flat slab or placard used for inscription, giving rise to its use for nameplates, signs, and tablets. From this concrete origin, its application broadened metaphorically to encompass any flat, card-like object, most notably playing cards, and further extended to represent labels, trademarks, and brands, which function as figurative plaques of identification.

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢那个子。

Wǒ xǐhuān nàge páizi.

I like that brand.

需要清洗。

Chēpái xūyào qīngxǐ.

The license plate needs cleaning.

商店门口有门

Shāngdiàn ménkǒu yǒu ménpái.

There is a house number plate at the shop entrance.

他打打得很好。

Tā dǎ pái dǎ de hěn hǎo.

He plays cards very well.

广告上写着新闻。

Guǎnggàopái shàng xiězhe xīnwén.

The billboard has news written on it.

我们公司申请了新照。

Wǒmen gōngsī shēnqǐng le xīn páizhào.

Our company applied for a new license.

这张在游戏中很重要。

Zhè zhāng pái zài yóuxì zhōng hěn zhòngyào.

This card is very important in the game.

环保部门检查了车辆的排污照。

Huánbǎo bùmén jiǎnchá le chēliàng de páiwū páizhào.

The environmental protection department inspected the vehicle's emission license.