Definitions

(verb) to pull up; to pull out
(verb) to surpass; to stand out
(verb) to select; to pick

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "拔" integrates the hand radical, signaling manual involvement, with the component "犮", which serves a dual phonetic and semantic role by evoking concepts of removal or exertion, thereby establishing its core meaning of pulling out or uprooting through direct physical action. Historically centered on literal acts such as extracting plants or withdrawing objects, its usage gradually extended into metaphorical domains, including the selection of persons for promotion or the expression of surpassing excellence, which allowed the character to adapt to abstract contexts while retaining its foundational sense. This semantic broadening was facilitated by the consistent structural relationship between its components, which continued to emphasize the connection between hand-based effort and the notion of extraction, ensuring that the character's evolution reflected an organic shift in application rather than a departure from its etymological roots.

Etymology Hide

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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我帮妈妈草。

Wǒ bāng māma bá cǎo.

I help mom pull weeds.

医生给我牙。

Yīshēng gěi wǒ bá yá.

The dentist pulls my tooth.

我们喜欢河比赛。

Wǒmen xǐhuān bá hé bǐsài.

We like tug of war competitions.

出了那把旧刀。

Tā bá chūle nà bǎ jiù dāo.

He pulled out that old knife.

过程非常公平。

Xuǎnbá guòchéng fēichāng gōngpíng.

The selection process is very fair.

公司提了许多年轻人。

Gōngsī tíbále xǔduō niánqīng rén.

The company promoted many young people.

请记得掉电视插头。

Qǐng jìde bá diào diànshì chātóu.

Please remember to unplug the TV plug.

这项政策旨在高教育水平。

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè zhǐ zài bá gāo jiàoyù shuǐpíng.

This policy aims to raise the education level.