Definitions

(adjective) jade green; bluish green
(noun) jade

Etymology

A stone  like amber  also provides the pronunciation

About

The character 碧 combines three components: 王 (yù, jade) at the top-left, 白 (bái, white) at the top-right, and 石 (shí, stone) at the bottom. The jade and stone radicals classify it as a precious mineral. Originally, it referred to a bluish-green jade. Its meaning later expanded from the stone itself to the specific color it embodies, a clear, vibrant emerald or bluish-green. This color descriptor is now commonly applied to natural scenes like clear skies, deep waters, and lush plants, transitioning from a noun for a gemstone to an adjective for a vivid hue.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

湖水绿清澈。

Húshuǐ bìlǜ qīngchè.

The lake water is emerald green and clear.

她有一条蓝的裙子。

Tā yǒu yī tiáo bìlán de qúnzi.

She has an azure dress.

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.

远处有绿的群山。

Yuǎnchù yǒu bìlǜ de qúnshān.

There are emerald green mountains in the distance.

阳光下的海闪闪发光。

Yángguāng xià de bìhǎi shǎnshǎn fāguāng.

The blue sea under the sunlight shines brightly.

今天的天空蓝而晴朗。

Jīntiān de tiānkōng bìlán ér qínglǎng.

Today's sky is azure and clear.

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.

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.