凭
to lean against; to rely on; on the basis of; no matter (how, what etc); proof
Closest English meanings
lean on·rely·proof
The Calligrapher — Gāo Xián 高闲
Tang monk calligrapher of cursive script, author of the Thousand-Character Classic.
Tang calligrapher (), master of cursive script — known for 《千字文》残卷. Tang dynasty
Cultural Story
The form set a frame and a rely, 凭, to lean and to trust. The Tang poet leans 凭栏 at the tower, watching the river. A suit was filed on a 凭证, a slip that proved the debt. To 凭 a word was to rest on it as on a rail. The word held the body's ease and the bond.
Common words & phrases
- 凭借 rely on · depend on
- 凭证 proof · voucher
- 任凭 let · no matter
- 凭空 out of thin air · groundless
- 文凭 diploma · certificate
Read the story behind the character
A traveller 凭借 a pass to cross; the claim needs a 凭证, a receipt. The clause says 任凭 the wind, let it be. The charge is 凭空, from nothing. The graduate holds a 文凭, a diploma. The word means lean, proof, and a paper — a rest, a right, and a sheet.
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