Meanings of 伯
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About 伯
Podcast: 伯
Podcast: 伯
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AI Study Notes for 伯
叔 (shū) - use 伯 (bà) for 'father's elder brother' or a respectful term for older males, while 叔 (shū) refers to 'father's younger brother.'
Imagine an older man, your father's elder brother, with a large, majestic beard (the radical for 'elder' is often associated with wisdom). The sound 'bà' can be remembered as 'baa' like a wise old sheep who knows all the family secrets.
Learners often confuse 伯 (bà) with 霸 (bà), which means 'to dominate' or 'tyrant.' 伯 is used in formal contexts, especially when addressing elders, while 霸 is more colloquial. Be careful with tones; mixing them up changes the meaning entirely.
Although 伯 (bà) is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to broader familial terms and hierarchical structures in Chinese society. Focus on how it interacts with other family-related terms to deepen understanding.
In Chinese culture, the position of 伯 (bà) is significant as it reflects the respect and hierarchy within the family, emphasizing the importance of elder relatives in social dynamics.
Learners often mistakenly use 伯 (bà) when they mean 叔 (shū), confusing elder and younger relatives. For example, saying '我有一个伯' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè bà) to refer to a younger uncle is incorrect; it should be 叔 (shū).
Pronunciation of 伯
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Etymology of 伯
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 白 represents the sound.
person
Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 伯
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Write 伯
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Practice writing 伯 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 伯
伯 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
理查德·张____伦已经同意接拍《荆棘鸟》的续集。
Richard Chamberlain has agreed to make a sequel to "The Thorn Birds".
Example Sentences for 伯 (10)
Cultural Notes for 伯
In Chinese culture, the position of 伯 (bà) is significant as it reflects the respect and hierarchy within the family, emphasizing the importance of elder relatives in social dynamics.
Word Family of 伯
Compound Meaning
What does 伯 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 伯
伯 (bà) refers specifically to the father's elder brother, while 叔 (shū) is used for the father's younger brother.