About
笨 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 竹 (zhú, bamboo) above the phonetic component 本 (běn, root). It originally denoted the inner white layer of bamboo, which is stiff and less pliable than the outer layers. This physical property led to a semantic shift, extending to mean clumsy or stupid in reference to human traits. The original botanical sense is now obsolete. Its structure, retaining the bamboo radical, preserves the etymological link to its material origin before it became an adjective for dullness or awkwardness.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个孩子很笨。
别做笨事情。
他看起来有点笨。
我妹妹经常说笨话。
这个笨主意是谁想的？
笨重的箱子很难搬动。
虽然他有点笨，但是很努力。
用笨方法解决问题往往效率低下。