啤酒 (píjiǔ), meaning “beer” in Chinese, has a structure that reflects the ingredients and process involved in making this ancient beverage.

Here’s a breakdown of the characters:

• 啤 (pí): This character originally referred to a type of fermented drink made from barley or other grains. It’s a phono-semantic compound character where the 米 (mǐ – rice/grain) component hints at the use of grains in the brewing process, and the 卑 (bēi – low) component provides a phonetic clue.

• 酒 (jiǔ): This character means “alcohol” or “liquor.” It’s a pictogram that originally depicted a jar with a lid, symbolizing a container for alcoholic beverages.

Combining these elements, 啤酒 literally means “grain alcohol” or “fermented drink made from grain.” This accurately describes the basic ingredients and process of making beer, which involves fermenting grains like barley to produce an alcoholic beverage.

The term 啤酒 is used in various contexts related to beer and brewing:

• 喝啤酒 (hē píjiǔ): To drink beer
• 啤酒厂 (píjiǔchǎng): Brewery
• 啤酒节 (píjiǔjié): Beer festival

By understanding the original meaning of 啤酒, we can appreciate its connection to the ancient practice of brewing alcoholic beverages from grains. It also highlights the cultural significance of beer as a social and celebratory drink in many cultures.