Meanings of 萍
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About 萍
Podcast: 萍
Podcast: 萍
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AI Study Notes for 萍
When using 萍, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 平 (píng, flat). It's typically used in literary or poetic contexts, so it may not be appropriate in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 萍水相逢 (píng shuǐ xiāng féng), meaning 'to meet by chance'.
Although 萍 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to HSK Level 3 words like 水 (shuǐ, water) and 平 (píng, flat) as they relate to nature and states of being. Focus on understanding its poetic connotation and how it can be used to express ideas of movement and transience.
Learners often confuse 萍 with 平 (píng), which means 'flat'. For example, saying '我喜欢平水' (wǒ xǐhuān píng shuǐ, 'I like flat water') instead of '我喜欢萍水' (wǒ xǐhuān píng shuǐ, 'I like duckweed on water') can lead to misunderstandings.
Pronunciation of 萍
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Etymology of 萍
grass
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 萍
- 1The meaning half艹 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half泙 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaygrass
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 萍? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 萍
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How to say duckweed; to travel, to wander in Chinese
“duckweed; to travel, to wander” in Chinese is萍
The character 萍 (píng) primarily means 'duckweed', a type of small floating plant often found on the surface of ponds and lakes. It can also imply a sense of wandering or traveling, reflecting the transient nature of duckweed as it drifts on water. This character is commonly used in poetic contexts to evoke themes of impermanence and freedom.
When to use 萍
When using 萍, be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 平 (píng, flat). It's typically used in literary or poetic contexts, so it may not be appropriate in everyday conversation. Common collocations include 萍水相逢 (píng shuǐ xiāng féng), meaning 'to meet by chance'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 萍 with 平 (píng), which means 'flat'. For example, saying '我喜欢平水' (wǒ xǐhuān píng shuǐ, 'I like flat water') instead of '我喜欢萍水' (wǒ xǐhuān píng shuǐ, 'I like duckweed on water') can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 萍
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Practice writing 萍 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 萍
萍 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
1962年, 薛亚____经陈少霖引荐拜张君秋大师.
In 1962, Yaping introduced by Chen Shaolin Master Zhang Junqiu al.
Example Sentences for 萍 (1)
Word Family of 萍
Compound Meaning
What does 萍 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 萍
It literally means 'duckweed', a small floating plant found on water surfaces.
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