字 字源HanziOrigin
中文EnglishFrançaisEspañolالعربيةРусский
比
bǐ
to compare
At a glance · 比

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

比 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 比 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 比 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 比 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 比 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 比 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「比」甲骨文从二人为并比，象二人并列，金文小篆承之。

What the sketch shows

比 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「比」本义为并列、靠近，引申比较、比喻、朋比。

Structure

从二匕（人），会意字，二人并立为比，本为并列、比较。

At a glance

Pinyinbǐ
Radical比
Strokes4
UnicodeU+6BD4
Character type会意
Theme动作

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English to compare to compare, liken; comparison; than; hexagram ䷇
Français comparer / tel Comparer, tel que. «犹子比儿» : comparer, assimiler.
Español comparar / tal Comparar, tal que. «犹子比儿»: comparar, asimilar.
العربية يقارن / مثل يقارن، مثل. «犹子比儿»: يقارن، يشبّه.
Русский сравнивать / подобно Сравнивать, подобно. «犹子比儿»: сравнивать, уподоблять.

Common words

  • 比较bǐ jiàocompare
  • 比如bǐ rúfor example

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