Definitions

tíng (noun) pavilion; gazebo
tíng (noun) kiosk; booth
tíng (verb) erect

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character "亭" is structured with the components "亠", "口", and "丁", where "丁" primarily provides phonetic guidance while the overall form suggests an architectural concept. Etymologically, it originally denoted a roadside pavilion or watchtower, often used for rest or surveillance, and its meaning later expanded to include any small, freestanding building such as a kiosk or gazebo. In historical administrative contexts, the term also referred to relay stations for postal services or military outposts, reflecting a functional shift from mere structures to institutional roles, before settling into its modern association with decorative pavilions in landscapes.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze 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)
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

公园里有一个子。

Gōngyuán lǐ yǒu yī gè tíngzi.

There is a pavilion in the park.

这个子很漂亮。

Zhège tíngzi hěn piàoliang.

This pavilion is very beautiful.

我们在子里休息。

Wǒmen zài tíngzi lǐ xiūxi.

We are resting in the pavilion.

路边有一个邮

Lù biān yǒu yī gè yóu tíng.

There is a postal kiosk by the road.

老人常在凉下棋。

Lǎorén cháng zài liáng tíng xià qí.

Old men often play chess in the cool pavilion.

学校附近的书卖很多杂志。

Xuéxiào fùjìn de shū tíng mài hěn duō zázhì.

The book kiosk near the school sells many magazines.

如果你累了,可以去子里坐一会儿。

Rúguǒ nǐ lèi le, kěyǐ qù tíngzi lǐ zuò yīhuǐr.

If you are tired, you can go sit in the pavilion for a while.

那座古老的子见证了历史的变迁。

Nà zuò gǔlǎo de tíngzi jiànzhèng le lìshǐ de biànqiān.

That ancient pavilion has witnessed the changes of history.