How to write 笨

笨 [bèn] 1. Not smart; foolish. Example: 笨人 (fool); 笨拙 (clumsy); 笨伯 (1. fool, stupid person; 2. heavy person).愚笨 (foolish). 2. Not agile; clumsy. Example: 嘴笨 (clumsy in speaking); 笨口笨舌 (awkward in speech); 笨鸟先飞 (the clumsy bird flies first). 3. Heavy, laborious. Example: 笨重 (heavy); 笨活 (heavy work); 粗笨 (coarsely heavy). **Meaning in detail:** 笨 (noun): Refers to the inner layer of bamboo; also called "bamboo yellow." (English: inner layer of bamboo) **Usage in historical texts:** 1. "说文" states: 笨 refers to the inside of bamboo. (徐锴 comments: 笨 refers to the white part of bamboo.) 2. "广雅·释草": The outer part of bamboo is called 笢, and the inner part is 笨, referring to the white material inside. It's as white as paper and can be peeled off by hand, known as bamboo fùyú. **Additional meanings:** 1. Cumbersome; unwieldy. Example: 笨车 (a crude, undecorated vehicle); 笨窳 (heavy and crude); 笨胶 (inferior quality glue). 2. Stupid; foolish; dull. Example: 笨头笨脑 (stupid); 笨人 (fool); 笨汉 (a person who does heavy work); 笨牛 (foolish like a cow). 3. Clumsy; awkward. Example: 笨作 (stiff and unadaptable work); 笨贼 (fool).