碧

bì

珀 + 石

Definitions

bì (adjective) jade green; bluish green

bì (noun) jade

Etymology

A stone 石 like amber 珀; 珀 also provides the pronunciation

About

碧 combines the component 珀 (amber) on top of 石 (stone). 珀 itself is formed from 王 (jade) and 白 (white), evoking a translucent, pale gem. The presence of both jade and stone components signals a treasured mineral; the choice of 珀 likens it to amber and also provides the pronunciation (bì). Originally, 碧 referred to a green jade or a bluish-green gemstone often used in carvings. Over time, the word's focus shifted from the physical stone to its distinctive color, a bright, clear bluish-green. This noun-to-adjective transition is a natural semantic development, and today 碧 is widely used to capture the vivid hues of clear skies, deep waters, and lush vegetation.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

湖水碧绿清澈。

Húshuǐ bìlǜ qīngchè.

The lake water is emerald green and clear.

她有一条碧蓝的裙子。

Tā yǒu yī tiáo bìlán de qúnzi.

She has an azure dress.

碧波荡漾的湖面非常美丽。

Bìbō dàngyàng de húmiàn fēichāng měilì.

The lake surface with rippling blue waves is very beautiful.

远处有碧绿的群山。

Yuǎnchù yǒu bìlǜ de qúnshān.

There are emerald green mountains in the distance.

阳光下的碧海闪闪发光。

Yángguāng xià de bìhǎi shǎnshǎn fāguāng.

The blue sea under the sunlight shines brightly.

今天的天空碧蓝而晴朗。

Jīntiān de tiānkōng bìlán ér qínglǎng.

Today's sky is azure and clear.

碧绿的荷叶衬托着粉红的荷花。

Bìlǜ de héyè chèntuō zhe fěnhóng de héhuā.

The emerald green lotus leaves set off the pink lotus flowers.

碧绿的山峦在晨雾中若隐若现。

Bìlǜ de shānluán zài chénwù zhōng ruòyǐnruòxiàn.

The emerald green mountains loom in the morning mist.

Related Characters

Component: 珀

碧