Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
悖 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
悖bèicontradictory; counter tovg, 10 strokes, radical 忄, rank #29500, Very Hard
悖bèito go againstunknown, 10 strokes, radical 忄, rank #29500, Very Hard
悖bèito be contrary tounknown, 10 strokes, radical 忄, rank #29500, Very Hard
悖bèiperverseunknown, 10 strokes, radical 忄, rank #29500, Very Hard
悖bèirebelliousunknown, 10 strokes, radical 忄, rank #29500, Very Hard
bèi(bei4)bei T4
  1. 1contradictory; counter to
  2. 2to go against
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

悖bèi(bei4)

The character 悖 (bèi) describes a state of contradiction or opposition, often implying a sense of going against established norms or expectations. It can refer to ideas, actions, or behaviors that are contrary to what is perceived as correct or acceptable. Commonly used in philosophical or critical discussions, it carries a tone of disapproval or rebellion.

Strokes10Radical忄Frequency#29500DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The notion of 'going against' is significant in Chinese philosophy, particularly in discussions about harmony and societal norms. The term often appears in debates about moral conduct, highlighting the value placed on conformity and the consequences of rebellion.

Memory tip

Imagine a rebellious student (the character's shape) standing defiantly against a teacher (the meaning of 'going against'). The radical '忄' (heart) hints at emotional conflict, while the right side represents a break from tradition, making 'bèi' sound like 'bay'—a rebellious bay that won’t follow the tides.

Meanings of 悖

bèi(bei4)
1contradictory; counter to
2to go against
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 悖 means.

About 悖

悖Simplified
10Strokes
忄Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 悖

JasonAmy

Podcast: 悖

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 悖

Quick Contrast

悖 (bèi) vs 违 (wéi) — use 悖 for contradictions in ideas or principles, while 违 is more about violating rules or laws.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 悖, as it can carry strong negative connotations in formal contexts. It is commonly found in academic or philosophical discussions, but using it in casual conversation may be seen as overly dramatic. Ensure correct tone pronunciation to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Though not part of the HSK vocabulary, 悖 connects with higher-level words related to contradiction or conflict. Students at this level should focus on understanding its usage in complex sentences and philosophical texts to deepen their comprehension of nuanced language.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 悖 with similar-sounding characters like 窃 (qiè, to steal), leading to sentences that completely change in meaning. For example, using 悖 in place of 窃 in '他窃取了我的想法' (He stole my ideas) would incorrectly imply he contradicted my ideas.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 悖

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 悖, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 悖 to you

Let me explain 悖 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 悖 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 悖?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 悖 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 悖

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

heart

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

Origin

悖 = 忄 + 孛. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 悖

IDS Structure⿰忄孛
悖Full character
=
忄xin1
left
孛bei4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 悖?

How to say contradictory; counter to in Chinese

“contradictory; counter to” in Chinese is悖bèi

The character 悖 (bèi) describes a state of contradiction or opposition, often implying a sense of going against established norms or expectations. It can refer to ideas, actions, or behaviors that are contrary to what is perceived as correct or acceptable. Commonly used in philosophical or critical discussions, it carries a tone of disapproval or rebellion.

When to use 悖

Be cautious when using 悖, as it can carry strong negative connotations in formal contexts. It is commonly found in academic or philosophical discussions, but using it in casual conversation may be seen as overly dramatic. Ensure correct tone pronunciation to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

悖 or something close to it

悖 (bèi) vs 违 (wéi) — use 悖 for contradictions in ideas or principles, while 违 is more about violating rules or laws.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 悖 with similar-sounding characters like 窃 (qiè, to steal), leading to sentences that completely change in meaning. For example, using 悖 in place of 窃 in '他窃取了我的想法' (He stole my ideas) would incorrectly imply he contradicted my ideas.

Write 悖

悖

Practice writing 悖 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 悖

悖 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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.

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他说这个决定有____天理。

He said that the decision flew in the face of natural justice.

Example sentences for 悖 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他说这个决定有悖天理。

tā shuō zhège juédìng yǒu bèi tiān lǐ。

He said that the decision flew in the face of natural justice.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 悖?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Word Family of 悖

Words containing this character6
悖bèiperverse
悖论paradox (logic)悖論
有悖于to go against有悖於
并行不悖not mutually exclusive並行不悖
悖逆contrary
悖谬absurd悖謬
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 悖

What does 悖论 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 悖

Some synonyms include 反对 (fǎnduì, oppose) and 冲突 (chōngtū, conflict), which share similar meanings but may differ in context.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 悖?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab