碑
stele, tablet
At a glance · 碑
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.
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.
小篆从石卑声，形声字，本指竖石作标记。秦代以后刻文纪事称碑。隶楷作「碑」。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
「碑」本指竖立的石块，后指刻文记事的石碑。
Structure
形声字，石为意符，卑为声符。
At a glance
Pinyinbēi
Radical石
Strokes13
UnicodeU+7891
Character type形声
Theme器物
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
stele, tablet
A stone tablet or monument with inscriptions.
Français
stèle, pierre
Une stèle ou pierre avec inscriptions.
Español
estela, lápida
Una estela o lápida con inscripciones.
العربية
نصبٌ حجري
لوح حجري منقوش.
Русский
стела, плита
Каменная плита или памятник с надписями.
Common words
- 碑bēistele
- 碑文bēi wéninscription