Definitions

fěi round covered-basket

Etymology phono-semantic

bamboo

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

A phono-semantic compound, pairs the bamboo radical (zhú) on top, indicating the material, with (fěi) below for its sound. Historically, it designated a specific type of round bamboo basket commonly employed for carrying and storing goods, and these baskets frequently appeared in ceremonial contexts to hold tributes, gifts, or offerings presented to superiors and ancestors. The character's meaning is strictly confined to this physical basket and its role in ancient tribute rituals, rarely extending beyond its literal purpose.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern