陛 (bì): the steps to the throne

Meanings

1 the steps to the throne
2 (in 陛下) Your Majesty / His Majesty

Characters

陛

bì

steps to the throne

Examples

陛下，西域的使者到了。

Bìxià, Xīyù de shǐzhě dào le.

Your Majesty, the envoys from the western regions have arrived.

群臣跪在丹陛之下。

Qúnchén guì zài dānbì zhīxià.

The ministers knelt at the foot of the palace steps.

Tips

culture

陛 literally means the steps leading up to the throne. The respectful form of address 陛下 (陛下, 'Your Majesty', literally 'beneath the steps') reflects court etiquette: one addressed the attendants at the foot of the steps, not the emperor directly.