About
The character 萍, representing duckweed, is a phono-semantic compound composed of the grass radical 艹 indicating its botanical nature and the component 平 which supplies its pronunciation. This structural arrangement has been consistent in its written form, with the components clearly defining its association with floating aquatic plants. Etymologically, the character directly stems from this combination, and while its primary meaning has always been the duckweed plant, its application broadened in classical literature to metaphorically suggest transience or chance encounters, as exemplified in the phrase "萍水相逢". Thus, the semantic range of 萍 evolved from a specific plant name to encompass abstract notions of fleeting and incidental connection.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
小萍喜欢唱歌。
小萍每天去学校。
湖面上有浮萍。
浮萍随风飘动。
水中的浮萍很绿。
小萍在公园里看到了浮萍。
昨天小萍在河边散步时发现了浮萍。
如果小萍有时间，她会去观察浮萍。