譬

pì

言 + 辟

Frequency#2441

Definitions

pì to give an example

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 言 represents the meaning and 辟 represents the sound.

Semantic: 言 Phonetic: 辟

About

The character "譬" is structured with the phonetic component "辟" positioned above the semantic component "言", indicating its inherent connection to speech or language. Etymologically, this composition points to the act of using words to establish a comparison or analogy, with early textual evidence showing it functioned as a verb meaning "to compare" or "to illustrate by analogy". Over centuries, its usage gradually shifted from a verbal sense to a more nominal one, now predominantly denoting "example" or "instance", as observed in modern constructs like "譬如". The character's form has remained consistent, with "言" continuously anchoring its meaning in the realm of verbal expression and "辟" providing phonetic guidance.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

譬如今天天气很好。

Pìrú jīntiān tiānqì hěn hǎo.

For example, today the weather is very good.

我喜欢运动譬如跑步和游泳。

Wǒ xǐhuān yùndòng pìrú pǎobù hé yóuyǒng.

I like sports, for example running and swimming.

她举了一个例子譬如去年的事。

Tā jǔle yīgè lìzi pìrú qùnián de shì.

She gave an example, for instance last year's matter.

这个譬喻非常生动容易理解。

Zhège pìyù fēichāng shēngdòng róngyì lǐjiě.

This metaphor is very vivid and easy to understand.

老师用譬喻的方式教导学生。

Lǎoshī yòng pìyù de fāngshì jiàodǎo xuéshēng.

The teacher uses metaphorical methods to teach students.

在讨论中他常使用譬如来强调观点。

Zài tǎolùn zhōng tā cháng shǐyòng pìrú lái qiángdiào guāndiǎn.

In discussions, he often uses for example to emphasize his points.

这个复杂的理论可以通过譬喻简化。

Zhège fùzá de lǐlùn kěyǐ tōngguò pìyù jiǎnhuà.

This complex theory can be simplified through metaphors.

尽管譬喻有助于理解但有时也会引起误解。

Jǐnguǎn pìyù yǒu zhù yú lǐjiě dàn yǒushí yě huì yǐnqǐ wùjiě.

Although metaphors help with understanding, they sometimes cause misunderstandings.

Related Characters

Component: 言

Component: 辟

譬