Definitions

bǐng third of the ten Heavenly Stems 十天干[shí tiān gān]; third in order; letter "C" or Roman "III" in list "A, B, C", or "I, II, III" etc; ancient Chinese compass point: 165°; propyl

Etymology

Depicts a platform to put things on. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character 丙, representing the third celestial stem, originated from a pictographic concept likely based on a natural or artificial object, which over time was stylized into its present form featuring a horizontal bar covering a rectangular component with two divergent lower strokes. Initially carrying a concrete referent, its meaning evolved to purely abstract functions, first as a sequence marker and then as a symbol for fire within the five elements philosophy, which led to its application in timekeeping systems and subsequently in categorical rankings such as performance tiers.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
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)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是级产品。

Zhè shì bǐng jí chǎn pǐn.

This is a class C product.

烷是一种气体燃料。

Bǐng wán shì yī zhǒng qì tǐ rán liào.

Propane is a type of gas fuel.

烯常用于制造塑料。

Bǐng xī cháng yòng yú zhì zào sù liào.

Propylene is often used in making plastics.

酸可以用于食品防腐。

Bǐng suān kě yǐ yòng yú shí pǐn fáng fǔ.

Propionic acid can be used for food preservation.

肝是一种肝脏疾病。

Bǐng gān shì yī zhǒng gān zàng jí bìng.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease.

酮在实验室里很常见。

Bǐng tóng zài shí yàn shì lǐ hěn cháng jiàn.

Acetone is very common in laboratories.

种球蛋白能增强免疫力。

Bǐng zhǒng qiú dàn bái néng zēng qiáng miǎn yì lì.

Gamma globulin can enhance immunity.

根据测试结果,他被分到了班。

Gēn jù cè shì jié guǒ, tā bèi fēn dào le bǐng bān.

Based on the test results, he was assigned to class C.