錶 (biǎo) - Watch & clock

錶Tone 3

biǎo ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

錶 · biǎo

Watch;

clock;

meter;

gauge;

an instrument for measuring or indicating time, speed, etc.

Watchclockmeter

Usage highlights

WristwatchClockSpeedometerElectricity meterWater meterStopwatch

Synonyms

  • 表— surface; to show; also used for watches/clocks (broader term)
  • 钟— clock; bell (specifically for timekeeping devices)
  • 计时器— timer; timekeeping device

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He wears a wristwatch (手表).
  • The clock on the wall is slow (挂钟錶).
  • Check the speedometer (速度錶).
  • The electricity meter needs reading (电錶).

Collocations

  • Wristwatch(手錶)
  • Clock(钟錶)
  • Speedometer(速度錶)
  • Electricity meter(电錶)
  • Water meter(水錶)
  • Stopwatch(秒錶)

Idioms

  • To race against time(争分夺秒 - though not containing 錶, conceptually related)
  • Time is money(时间就是金钱 - conceptually related)
  • The watch runs fast(錶走得快)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 錶 is the simplified form of 錶, specifically meaning 'watch' or 'meter', derived from 表 which has broader meanings including 'surface' and 'to show'.
  • In modern usage, it often appears in compound words related to timekeeping and measurement instruments.
  • The character reflects technological advancement in precision instruments in Chinese society.

FAQ