Ainu Morpheme Explorer
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Hokkaidō

美瑛

びえい Biei

The two Japanese-side Roman spellings in the list are Byei and Biei.

Ainu spellings: Piye-pet

Analyses

Piye-pet

proposed

The river fat

Proponent: John Batchelor

The headwords Byei and Biei share a brace. He explains the fat comparison through the colour and density of the water.

Batchelor1905 § V "Place Names Considered", p. 38, s.v. Byei / Biei
Analysis details
Confidence: low

The analogy is explained, but the entry offers no earlier forms or independent naming account.

Attestations

  • Byei / Biei dictionary 1905 An Ainu-English-Japanese Dictionary, 2nd edition
    “The river fat.”

    The entry gives Batchelor’s analytical spelling and interpretation.

    Batchelor1905 § V "Place Names Considered", p. 38, s.v. Byei / Biei

Sources