Definitions
(verb)
to long for; to wish; to cling to; to stick to
(particle)
particle used as nominalizing suffix
Etymology
Depicts a person grabbing something with their hand. Original form of 把. In modern Chinese this character is usually used only for its sound.
About
The character "巴" is believed to have originated as a pictograph representing a coiled snake or a large, clinging creature, which provided its initial connotations of attachment or grasping. From this concrete depiction, its usage broadened to designate the ancient region of Bashu in southwestern China, embedding a strong geographical reference into its semantic range. Over time, the character further evolved to convey more abstract notions, such as earnest hope or expectation, evident in compounds like "巴望", while also appearing in terms for physical attributes, such as "巴掌" for the palm of the hand. This shift from a representational form to a carrier of diverse meanings demonstrates how its simple structure has supported a widening array of linguistic applications without significant alteration to its graphical composition.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
巴西是一个国家。
巴黎是法国首都。
他打了我一巴掌。
我巴不得早点回家。
他喜欢巴结领导。
小狗摇着尾巴跑。
他嘴巴张得很大。
我巴望着假期到来。