柄 (bǐng) - handle & stem

柄Tone 3

bǐng ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

柄 · bǐng

handle;

stem;

authority;

power;

basis;

used metaphorically for control or leverage.

handlestemauthority

Usage highlights

handlepower/authoritybasis for gossipflower stemsword hiltlaughingstock

Synonyms

  • 把— handle; grip
  • 权— power; authority

Antonyms

  • 无权— without power; powerless

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The handle of the knife (刀柄) is made of wood.
  • He holds the power of decision (权柄).
  • This provides a basis for discussion (话柄).
  • The flower stem (花柄) is quite long.

Collocations

  • handle(柄)
  • power/authority(权柄)
  • basis for gossip(话柄)
  • flower stem(花柄)
  • sword hilt(剑柄)
  • laughingstock(笑柄)

Idioms

  • To become a laughingstock(授人以柄)
  • To seize power(执柄)
  • To hold the reins of government(秉国持柄)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional context, '柄' often symbolizes authority and control, as in 权柄 (quánbǐng).
  • Metaphorically, it can refer to a pretext or handle for criticism, as in 话柄 (huàbǐng) or 笑柄 (xiàobǐng).
  • The character combines the wood radical (木) with 丙, suggesting a wooden handle or stem.

FAQ