Common Meanings
1
biāo标
The tip of a tree; extended to mean superficial or non-fundamental, as in 'specimen' (标本) or 'to address the symptoms but not the root cause' (治标不治本).
只治标不治本的方法，难以从根本上解决问题。
Methods that only treat the symptoms but not the root cause can hardly solve the problem fundamentally.
mark, sign, label (as in trademark, road sign, symbol)
请注意路上的安全标志。
Please pay attention to the safety signs on the road.
To mark, label, or indicate with text or other things, such as to label clearly (标明), title (标题), or marked price (标价).
请在地图上标明你的位置。
Please mark your location on the map.
A prize or trophy awarded to the winner of a competition; also refers to the winner or the act of winning the championship.
他在这次比赛中成功夺标，获得了金牌。
He successfully won the championship in this competition and received a gold medal.
To bid or tender, proposing a price for a project or goods according to specified standards, allowing competing firms to select and finalize a deal; often associated with '投标 (tóubiāo - to bid)' and '招标 (zhāobiāo - to invite bids)'.
我们公司正在为新项目进行公开招标。
Our company is currently conducting a public tender for the new project.
A standard, a mark, a goal, an example, or a distinguished person/model.
这家公司致力于成为行业的标杆。
This company strives to become the benchmark for the industry.
Demeanor, style, or high standard (as in 'biāogé' - style, demeanor).
她的穿着打扮总是很有格调，尽显高标。
Her dress and grooming always show great style, fully demonstrating a high standard.
In late Qing Dynasty China, 'biāo' (标) was a military unit, roughly equivalent to a regiment. It was also used to denote a body of troops (e.g., '一标人马' - a 'biāo' of men). '标下' (biāo xià) referred to troops under a senior official's direct command or was a humble self-reference by a junior officer to a superior.
总兵大人向标下传达了最新的军令。
The Brigadier General conveyed the latest military orders to his subordinates.