Definitions

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

Etymology

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

About

釆 is an ideogram meaning "to distinguish" or "to separate". As a semantic radical, it visually depicts splayed animal footprints or claws, representing the tracks hunters examined to identify different species. Though rarely used independently today, its etymological importance lies in characters like 辨, 辩, and 释, where it conveys concepts of division, discrimination, or careful examination based on distinct 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