About
The character "笨" is composed of the bamboo radical "竹" placed above the component "本", which historically served a phonetic function. Its original meaning referred specifically to the light-colored, spongy inner substance of a bamboo stalk, a definition directly associated with its bamboo radical. By the Han dynasty, the term had acquired a figurative sense, extending to describe objects or manners that were crude, simple, or lacking refinement. This metaphorical application gradually narrowed over subsequent centuries, eventually focusing on human qualities of dullness or a lack of mental acuity, which became its primary meaning denoting foolishness or stupidity.
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。