牌 (pái) - Signboard, plaque & brand

牌Tone 2

pái ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

柠七

牌 · pái

Signboard, plaque;

brand;

card, playing card;

tablet;

license plate;

mahjong tile.

Signboard, plaquebrandcard, playing card

Usage highlights

SignboardBrand namePlaying cardLicense plateMahjong tileName card

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The store has a new signboard (招牌).
  • We played a game of cards (打牌).
  • This is a famous brand (名牌).
  • He received a license plate (车牌).
  • They played mahjong tiles (麻将牌).

Collocations

  • Signboard(招牌)
  • Brand name(品牌)
  • Playing card(扑克牌)
  • License plate(车牌)
  • Mahjong tile(麻将牌)
  • Name card(名牌)

Idioms

  • Hanging up the sheep's head but selling dog meat(挂羊头卖狗肉)
  • Putting gold on the face(金字招牌)
  • The ace in the hole(王牌)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, plaques (牌匾) were important markers of status and achievement, often displayed in homes and businesses.
  • Playing cards and mahjong tiles (牌) are deeply embedded in Chinese social and gaming culture.
  • The character appears in many commercial contexts relating to brands and trademarks.

FAQ