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埠 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
jetty, quay; port city, trade hubng, 11 strokes, radical 土, rank #67674, Very Hard
wharfunknown, 11 strokes, radical 土, rank #67674, Very Hard
portunknown, 11 strokes, radical 土, rank #67674, Very Hard
pierunknown, 11 strokes, radical 土, rank #67674, Very Hard
(bu4) T4
  1. 1jetty, quay; port city, trade hub
  2. 2wharf
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(bu4)

The character 埠 (bù) refers to a jetty or quay where boats can dock and load or unload goods. It is commonly used in the context of port cities or trade hubs, emphasizing its significance in transportation and commerce. This term is essential in discussions about logistics, maritime activities, and urban planning.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#67674DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, many cities have developed around ports, making 埠 a key term in understanding trade routes and economic development. For example, cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou are historically significant ports that contributed to China's growth.

Memory Tip

Imagine a big 'b' (for 'bù') standing beside a dock (the radical 土 means earth), where ships are lined up to unload their cargo. Visualize the 'b' as the beginning of a bustling port, where trade and travel converge, making it a vital location.

Meanings of 埠

(bu4)
1jetty, quay; port city, trade hub
2wharf
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 埠

Simplified
11Strokes
Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 埠

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 埠

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a big 'b' (for 'bù') standing beside a dock (the radical 土 means earth), where ships are lined up to unload their cargo. Visualize the 'b' as the beginning of a bustling port, where trade and travel converge, making it a vital location.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 埠 with similar words like 港 (gǎng, meaning harbor), but 埠 specifically denotes a jetty or trade hub. It is generally used in a formal context when discussing geography or commerce. Remember to pronounce it with the fourth tone to ensure clarity.

HSK Study Tips

Although 埠 is not commonly featured in HSK levels, it relates to other words about transportation and locations. Focus on its usage in phrases like 货运埠 (huòyùn bù - freight port) to enhance vocabulary related to logistics and trade.

Cultural Note

In Chinese history, many cities have developed around ports, making 埠 a key term in understanding trade routes and economic development. For example, cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou are historically significant ports that contributed to China's growth.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 埠 with 港 (gǎng), leading to incorrect usage in contexts related to ports. For instance, saying '我去港' instead of '我去埠' can change the intended meaning from a general harbor to a specific port.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 埠

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Etymology of 埠

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 土 represents the meaning and 阜 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

earth

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 埠?

Decomposition of 埠

IDS Structure⿰土阜
Full Character
=
Tu3
left
fu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 埠?

Write 埠

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 埠

埠 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 4 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.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

这艘船是开往外____的.

The ship is outward bound , sailing away from its home port.

Example Sentences for 埠 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这艘船是开往外埠的.

zhè sōu chuán shì kāi wǎng wài bù de.

The ship is outward bound , sailing away from its home port.
2
帕里什小姐最近在本埠报纸上登了一则广告。

pà lǐ shí xiǎo jiě zuì jìn zài běn bù bào zhǐ shàng dēng le yī zé guǎng gào。

Miss Parrish recently placed an advertisement in the local news-paper.
Exercise 1 of 1

Reorder the Sentence

The ship is outward bound , sailing away from its home port.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Cultural Notes for 埠

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese history, many cities have developed around ports, making 埠 a key term in understanding trade routes and economic development. For example, cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou are historically significant ports that contributed to China's growth.

Word Family of 埠

Words Containing This Character9
wharf
商埠commercial port
蚌埠Bengbu prefecture-level city in Anhui
蚌埠市Bengbu prefecture-level city in Anhui
华埠Chinatown華埠
本埠this city
埠头wharf埠頭
港埠port
船埠wharf
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 埠 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 埠

It's not commonly used in casual conversations but is important in specific contexts related to trade and transportation.