币

幣

bì

丿 + 巾

Definitions

bì (noun) currency; money

Etymology

Simplified form of 幣. Phonosemantic compound. 巾 represents the meaning and 敝 represents the sound.

About

币 is the simplified form of 幣, a phono-semantic compound with the semantic element 巾 (cloth) at the bottom and the phonetic 敝 at the top. The cloth radical reflects the ancient use of silk and textiles as a primary medium of exchange, gifts, and tribute, before metal coinage became standard. As economic systems evolved, the character's meaning broadened to cover all forms of currency, irrespective of material. In the modern simplification, the complex phonetic 敝 is replaced by a simple downward slanting stroke placed above 巾, streamlining the character while preserving its monetary sense.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢人民币。

Wǒ xǐhuān rénmínbì.

I like Renminbi.

我找到了一个硬币。

Wǒ zhǎodàole yīgè yìngbì.

I found a coin.

这张纸币很旧。

Zhè zhāng zhǐbì hěn jiù.

This banknote is very old.

美元是一种货币。

Měiyuán shì yī zhǒng huòbì.

The US dollar is a type of currency.

我需要兑换一些外币。

Wǒ xūyào duìhuàn yīxiē wàibì.

I need to exchange some foreign currency.

比特币的价格波动很大。

Bǐtèbì de jiàgé bōdòng hěn dà.

The price of Bitcoin fluctuates greatly.

这些金币具有收藏价值。

Zhèxiē jīnbì jùyǒu shōucáng jiàzhí.

These gold coins have collectible value.

中央银行负责发行法定货币。

Zhōngyāng yínháng fùzé fāxíng fǎdìng huòbì.

The central bank is responsible for issuing legal tender.

Related Characters

Component: 丿

Component: 巾

币