Meaning
彼 is a classical Chinese pronoun meaning 'that' or 'the other,' used to refer to something or someone distant or previously mentioned. It is the counterpart to 此 (this). While common in classical texts and formal writing, it appears less frequently in everyday modern spoken Chinese.
Usage
In modern Mandarin, 彼 is mostly found in formal written language, idioms, and set phrases like 彼此 (each other) and 知己知彼 (know yourself and your enemy). In casual speech, native speakers typically use 那 or 那个 instead of 彼 alone. The character carries a literary or formal register.
Examples
- 01我们应该彼此尊重。.We should respect each other.
- 02知己知彼，百战不殆。, .Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
Common collocations
- 彼此each other, mutually
- 知己知彼know yourself and your enemy
- 彼岸the other shore, the far bank
- 厚此薄彼favor one over another
Antonyms
Origin
The character 彼 is composed of the radical 彳 (walk/movement) and 皮 (skin), which serves as a phonetic component. Historically, it has been used since ancient Chinese to indicate something or someone at a distance or on the other side.