Home » Sunday » Now and Then
Strokes of genius 白
Print Edition
WHAT’S this pictograph? Neither a drop of rain, nor a grain of rice – it’s candlelight, while the stroke in the middle represents the wick. Thus, the original meaning of “白” bái is “shiny, bright,” as in “白天”báitiān (daylight hours, daytime) or “白日梦”báirìmèng (daydream).
Also, “白”bái means “sunshine” in ancient Chinese, just as in the first line of a famous Tang poem, “白日依山尽，……” Bái rì yi shān jìn, …… (The sun sets behind the mountain, …) And for our ancestors, white is the color of sunshine. That’s why the most common meaning of “白” bái now has become “white.” For instance,
白雪公主 Báixǔe Gōngzhǔ Snow White
白马王子 Báimǎ Wángzǐ Prince Charming
白纸黑字 báizhǐhēizì written in black and white
白宫 Báigōng White House
Another common usage is to combine “白” bái with a noun in the meaning of “pure, plain, blank.” Here are examples:
白饭 báifàn plain cooked rice
白手起家 báishǒu qǐjiā start from scratch (to make a fortune)
Furthermore, “白” bái means “in vain” before work or effort, whereas it can also mean “free of charge” before service or pleasure. Let’s compare:
白跑一趟 bái pǎo yí tàng have a fruitless trip
沙发客是一种白吃、白住的旅行方式。Shāfākè shì yì zhǒng bái chī, bái zhù de lǚ xíng fāng shì. Couch surfing is a way to travel with gratis food and accommodation.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
