丙

• Pinyin: bǐng
• Hanzi breakdown: 丙 = depicts a stand or pedestal; one of the ten Heavenly Stems representing fire in the yin-yang five elements system

Meaning

The third of the ten Heavenly Stems; used to denote the third item in a series; grade C.

In the traditional Chinese system, 丙 follows 甲 (first) and 乙 (second). Used in grading systems (丙等 = grade C), labeling items in sequences, and in traditional calendar calculations. Also appears in chemical nomenclature (丙醇 = propanol).

Examples

1. 按照公司规定，甲方提供资金，乙方负责运营，丙方进行监督。 According to company regulations, Party A provides funding, Party B handles operations, and Party C conducts supervision.
2. 他这学期的成绩下滑到了丙等，需要好好反思一下。 His grades dropped to C level this semester — he needs to do some serious reflection.
3. 丙烷是一种常见的燃气，广泛用于家庭和工业。 Propane is a common fuel gas, widely used in homes and industry.

Usage Guide

Context: contracts, grading, chemistry, traditional calendar

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 合同中甲乙丙三方的权责需要明确界定。(The rights and responsibilities of parties A, B, and C in the contract need to be clearly defined.)
• 丙肝是一种需要重视的传染病。(Hepatitis C is an infectious disease that needs attention.)

Don't Say

• 我是第丙个到的。(Don't use 丙 for casual ordering — use 第三 instead; 丙 is for formal classifications)

Origin & History

One of the original ten Heavenly Stems (天干) from ancient Chinese cosmology, used in the sexagenary cycle for dating and ordering.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal