Definitions

biàn to distinguish; to pick, to gather, to collect

Etymology

Depicts a hand () feeling for something in the sand ().

About

is an ideograph depicting a hand () feeling for something in the sand (), conveying the core meaning of distinguishing or separating. Rarely used as an independent word today, it primarily serves as a semantic component in characters like , , and , where it contributes the idea of discrimination, careful examination, or division based on notable differences or markings.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern