noun (character component) HSK 6
Traditional 蘋
duckweed · component in 苹果 (apple)
Meaning
As a standalone character, 苹 refers to duckweed, a type of aquatic plant. However, it is rarely used alone in modern Chinese. Most learners encounter this character as part of the common word 苹果 (píngguǒ), meaning 'apple.'
Usage
In contemporary Mandarin, 苹 almost never appears by itself in everyday speech or writing. It is primarily recognized as the first character of 苹果. The standalone meaning of 'duckweed' is largely literary or botanical.
Examples
- 01苹果是我最喜欢的水果。.Apples are my favorite fruit.
- 02池塘里漂着浮萍。.Duckweed floats in the pond.
Common collocations
- 苹果apple
Origin
The character 苹 contains the grass radical 艹, indicating its connection to plants. The phonetic component suggests the pronunciation píng.