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币 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
币bìmoneyHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 巾, rank #9329, Hard
币bìcoinsHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 巾, rank #9329, Hard
币bìcurrencyHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 巾, rank #9329, Hard
币bìsilkHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 巾, rank #9329, Hard
币bìcurrency, coins, legal tenderHSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 巾, rank #9329, Hard
bì(bi4) T4
  1. 1money
  2. 2coins
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
币(幣)bì(bi4)

币 (bì) refers to money or currency in a general sense, including coins and legal tender. It is commonly used in financial contexts, such as discussing prices or exchanges, and can also denote forms of currency like paper money and digital currency.

Strokes4Radical巾Frequency#9329DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 币 extends beyond just financial transactions; it reflects the traditional importance of wealth and prosperity in society, particularly during festivals like the Chinese New Year when monetary gifts are exchanged.

Memory Tip

Imagine a coin (币) being tossed into a fountain. The coin represents money, and the sound it makes when it lands is like 'bì'. The character 币 consists of the radical 布 (bù), meaning 'to spread' or 'to cloth', suggesting the spread of currency in trade.

Meanings of 币

bì(bi4)
1money
2coins
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 币

币Simplified
幣Traditional
4Strokes
巾Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9329Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3

Podcast: 币

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Podcast: 币

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 币

Quick Contrast

人民币 (rénmínbì) is specifically the Chinese currency, while 币 (bì) is a general term for currency or money.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a coin (币) being tossed into a fountain. The coin represents money, and the sound it makes when it lands is like 'bì'. The character 币 consists of the radical 布 (bù), meaning 'to spread' or 'to cloth', suggesting the spread of currency in trade.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 币 with other characters related to money, such as 钱 (qián), which specifically means 'money' in a broader sense. 币 is more formal and specific to currency, so it's best used in financial discussions or formal contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 币 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it is important for learners to understand its connection to money-related vocabulary. Students should focus on combining it with other words like 金 (jīn, gold) and 钱 (qián, money) to enhance their understanding of financial terms.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 币 extends beyond just financial transactions; it reflects the traditional importance of wealth and prosperity in society, particularly during festivals like the Chinese New Year when monetary gifts are exchanged.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 币 with 钱, using them interchangeably in informal contexts. For example, saying '我需要一些币' (wǒ xūyào yīxiē bì) instead of '我需要一些钱' (wǒ xūyào yīxiē qián) can sound overly formal or incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 币

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Etymology of 币

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 幣. Phonosemantic compound. 巾 represents the meaning and 敝 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

Bills written on silk 巾

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 币?

Decomposition of 币

IDS Structure⿻丿巾
币Full Character
=
丿pie3
outer
巾jin1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 币?

Write 币

币

Practice writing 币 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 币

币 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 5 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

一些较老式的电话机仍然只收代____。

Some of the older telephones still only accept tokens.

Common Confusions with 币

币vs必
bì

Same pronunciation but different meanings and usage.

币vs比
bǐ

Similar shape and pronunciation but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "money"?

or

Example Sentences for 币 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
一些较老式的电话机仍然只收代币。

yī xiē jiào lǎo shì de diàn huà jī réng rán zhī shōu dài bì。

Some of the older telephones still only accept tokens.
2
西班牙的当务之急是签署《欧洲经济和货币联盟条约》。

xī bān yá de dāng wù zhī jí shì qiān shǔ《 《 ōu zhōu jīng jì hé huò bì lián méng tiáo》。

Spain's top priority is the signing of an EMU treaty.
3
通货膨胀使得卢布变成了毫无价值的货币。

tōng huò péng zhàng shǐ dé lú bù biàn chéng le háo wú jià zhí de huò bì。

Inflation has turned the rouble into a toytown currency.
4
流通领域的货币供应量一夜骤减。

liú tōng lǐng yù de huò bì gōng yīng liáng yī yè zhòu jiǎn。

The supply of money in circulation was drastically reduced overnight.
5
外出度假时，在外币取款机上使用银行卡一定要小心。

wài chū dù jiǎ shí， ， zài wài bì qǔ kuǎn jī shàng shǐ yòng yín háng kǎ yī dìng yào xiǎo。

Holidaymakers should beware of using plastic cards in foreign cash dispensers.
6
把英镑与欧洲其他货币合并会引发许多难题。

bǎ yīng bàng yǔ ōu zhōu qí tā huò bì hé bìng huì yǐn fā xǔ duō nán tí。

Integrating the pound with other European currencies could cause difficulties.
7
他们相信控制货币供应量会减少通货膨胀。

tā mén xiāng xìn kòng zhì huò bì gōng yīng liáng huì jiǎn shǎo tōng huò péng zhàng。

They believed that controlling the money supply would reduce inflation.
8
这将会造成数种欧洲货币的贬值。

zhè jiāng huì zào chéng shù zhǒng ōu zhōu huò bì de biǎn zhí。

It will lead to devaluation of a number of European currencies.
9
英镑对大多数其他货币的汇率有望继续升高。

yīng bàng duì dà duō shù qí tā huò bì de huì shuài yǒu wàng jì xù shēng gāo。

The pound is expected to continue to increase against most other currencies.
10
布赖恩把手插进口袋里，把几枚硬币拨弄得叮当作响。

bù lài ēn bǎ shǒu chā jìn kǒu dài lǐ， ， bǎ jī méi yìng bì bō nòng dé dīng dāng zuò。

Brian put his hands in his pockets and jingled some change.

Cultural Notes for 币

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 币 extends beyond just financial transactions; it reflects the traditional importance of wealth and prosperity in society, particularly during festivals like the Chinese New Year when monetary gifts are exchanged.

Word Family of 币

Words Containing This Character19
硬币yìngbìcoin硬幣
人民币rénmínbìRenminbi (RMB)人民幣
货币huòbìcurrency貨幣
币bìmoney幣
金币gold coin金幣
银币silver coinage銀幣
港币Hong Kong currency港幣
纸币bank notes紙幣
钱币money錢幣
外币wàibìforeign currency外幣
货币市场money market貨幣市場
新台币New Taiwan dollar (NTD)新台幣
币值value of a currency幣值
铸币coin鑄幣
国际货币基金组织International Monetary Fund (IMF)國際貨幣基金組織
投币coin-operated投幣
台币New Taiwan dollar台幣
欧洲货币Euro歐洲貨幣
冥币false paper money burned as an offering to the dead冥幣
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 硬币 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 币

Yes, 币 is often used in discussions about money, especially in formal contexts like banking or finance.