About
笔 is the simplified form of 筆, a traditional character that combines 竹 (zhú, bamboo) with 聿 (yù). 聿 originally depicted a hand holding a brush upright to write, so together they convey a writing utensil made from bamboo and animal hair. The simplified 笔 replaces 聿 with 毛 (máo, hair), pairing bamboo and hair to form the character. This simplification maintains the original semantic logic of the writing brush's materials while reducing strokes. With the evolution of writing technology, 笔 no longer denotes only the traditional ink brush; it now refers broadly to any writing instrument, such as pens and pencils.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这是我的新铅笔。
他用钢笔写字。
我每天做笔记。
这条路笔直向前。
我有一个外国笔友。
他的笔名很有名。
我能认出他的笔迹。
她用漂亮的笔调写故事。
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