扁 (biǎn) - flat & level

扁Tone 3

biǎn ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

扁 · biǎn

flat;

level;

even;

a plaque or tablet;

to slight or belittle;

also a surname.

flatleveleven

Usage highlights

flat and widelook down on someonecommemorative plaqueflat noseflat peachtonsil

Synonyms

  • 平— flat, level, even
  • 匾— plaque, tablet

Antonyms

  • 圆— round, circular
  • 凸— protruding, convex
  • 高— high, tall

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ground is very flat (地面很扁).
  • He wrote characters that are flat and wide (他写的字很扁).
  • They hung a commemorative plaque (匾额) on the wall.
  • Don't look down on others (不要看扁别人).

Collocations

  • flat and wide(扁平)
  • look down on someone(看扁)
  • commemorative plaque(匾额)
  • flat nose(扁鼻子)
  • flat peach(扁桃)
  • tonsil(扁桃体)

Idioms

  • To be looked down upon(被人看扁)
  • Flat as a pancake(扁得像张饼)
  • Bian Que's medical skills(扁鹊之术)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used in 'Bian Que' (扁鹊), the name of a renowned physician from the Warring States period.
  • The character appears in words related to official plaques and tablets, indicating its use in formal, inscribed contexts.
  • In naming, it can carry connotations of evenness, stability, or humility, but may also imply being undervalued if not paired carefully.

FAQ