About
The character "旁" originally conveyed the idea of breadth or extensiveness, with its early structure combining elements that suggested a wide, open expanse. Its traditional form is composed of the radical 方, denoting direction or orientation, above the component 凡, which some interpretations suggest may have represented a ceremonial tablet or a general sense of "all". Over time, the primary semantic focus of the character shifted from denoting vastness itself to indicating something adjacent to a central point, thus giving rise to its core modern meanings of "side", "other", or "beside". This conceptual evolution moved from a direct description of space to a relational one, specifying what is next to or surrounding a primary subject. The simplified form retains the essential 方 component but streamlines the upper element, altering the original structural composition while maintaining the character's established function.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
旁边站着一个人。
我坐在他旁边。
请不要站在马路旁边。
他只是一个旁观者。
她正在旁听法律课程。
剧中的旁白很有深度。
他总能提出一些旁人不注意的细节。
旁征博引是他的演讲特点。