杯

Etymology & Components

The Chinese character 杯 (bēi) for "cup" is composed of two parts: the radical 皿 (mǐn), which represents a container, and the phonetic component 杯 (bēi), which is a simplified form of the character 卑 (bēi), meaning "low" or "humble". The combination of these two components suggests the idea of a low or humble container used for drinking.The character 杯 has a long history in Chinese writing, dating back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC). The earliest forms of the character were pictographic, depicting a simple cup or goblet. Over time, the character evolved and became more stylized, eventually taking on its current form.The character 杯 is used in a variety of contexts to refer to different types of cups or drinking vessels. It can also be used figuratively to refer to a person's social status or position. For example, the phrase 杯水车薪 (bēi shuǐ chē xīn) literally means "a cup of water to put out a cartload of firewood" and is used to describe a situation where the resources available are far from sufficient to meet the need.In addition to its literal meaning, the character 杯 also has a number of cultural and symbolic associations. In Chinese culture, the cup is often seen as a symbol of hospitality and friendship. It is also used in religious ceremonies and rituals, where it is often filled with wine or tea and offered to the gods or ancestors.