About
The character 薄 is a phono-semantic compound with the grass radical 艹 (cǎo) at the top, indicating a plant-related meaning, and the phonetic component 溥 (pǔ). 溥 itself combines the water radical 氵 (shuǐ) with 尃 (fū). Originally, 薄 referred to dense, intertwined grasses or marsh vegetation, a sense arising from the combination of the plant and water elements. Over time, its primary meaning shifted away from this botanical origin to express thinness, weakness, or lightness. It now commonly describes physical thinness, faint flavors or scents, and abstract ideas like slight emotions, poor treatment, or meager gains.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这块玻璃很薄。
她穿着薄的连衣裙。
薄雾笼罩着山谷。
他的收入微薄，但很快乐。
由于资金薄弱，项目失败了。
他对人刻薄，所以朋友很少。
这款手机的厚度非常薄，便于携带。
在薄暮时分，天空呈现出美丽的色彩。