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敝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
敝
bì
to break, to destroy; ruined, tattered
r, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #30081, Very Hard
敝
bì
my (polite)
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #30081, Very Hard
敝
bì
poor
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #30081, Very Hard
敝
bì
shabby
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #30081, Very Hard
敝
bì
worn out
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #30081, Very Hard
敝
bì
defeated
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 攵, rank #30081, Very Hard
bì(bi4)bi T4
1to break, to destroy; ruined, tattered
2my (polite)
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March 24, 2026
敝bì(bi4)
The character 敝 (bì) primarily conveys the meaning of being worn out or ruined. It is often used in a self-deprecating manner when referring to one's belongings or status, indicating politeness or humility. In certain contexts, it can also mean to break or destroy.
Strokes11Radical攵Frequency#30081DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, modesty is highly valued, and 敝 is often used in formal introductions or when discussing one's possessions to show respect and humility. This reflects the broader cultural norm of self-effacement.
Memory tip
Imagine a tattered piece of clothing that has been worn out and broken down over time. The character 敝 resembles a worn-out garment, with the '破' (broken) radical suggesting something that is no longer whole or pristine.
Meanings of 敝
bì(bi4)
1to break, to destroy; ruined, tattered
2my (polite)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 敝 means.
About 敝
敝Simplified
11Strokes
攵Radical
代词dàicípronoun (pron.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 敝
Podcast: 敝
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AI study notes for 敝
Quick Contrast
破 (pò) - use 敝 (bì) for self-deprecation about one's own possessions, while 破 (pò) is more neutral and can refer to anything being broken.
Usage Notes
Learners should be careful to use 敝 in appropriate contexts, particularly when expressing humility. It is commonly used in formal situations, often paired with '我' (I) to refer to oneself modestly (e.g., 敝人). Confusing it with similar-sounding characters like '逼' (bī - to force) can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
While 敝 is not on the HSK list, it is beneficial to understand its use in formal and literary contexts. Students at this level should focus on its connotations of humility and politeness, as well as its relationship with other characters that express degradation or ruin.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 敝 with the word for 'to force' (逼, bī), leading to incorrect usage. Remember that 敝 implies humility while discussing personal belongings or situations.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 敝
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How to say to break, to destroy; ruined, tattered in Chinese
“to break, to destroy; ruined, tattered” in Chinese is敝bì
The character 敝 (bì) primarily conveys the meaning of being worn out or ruined. It is often used in a self-deprecating manner when referring to one's belongings or status, indicating politeness or humility. In certain contexts, it can also mean to break or destroy.
When to use 敝
Learners should be careful to use 敝 in appropriate contexts, particularly when expressing humility. It is commonly used in formal situations, often paired with '我' (I) to refer to oneself modestly (e.g., 敝人). Confusing it with similar-sounding characters like '逼' (bī - to force) can lead to misunderstandings.
敝 or something close to it
破 (pò) - use 敝 (bì) for self-deprecation about one's own possessions, while 破 (pò) is more neutral and can refer to anything being broken.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 敝 with the word for 'to force' (逼, bī), leading to incorrect usage. Remember that 敝 implies humility while discussing personal belongings or situations.
Write 敝
敝
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Practice writing 敝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 敝
敝 functions as a pronoun — it stands in for a noun. Use it in the same positions as nouns (subject before verb, object after). Plurals are formed by adding 们 (我们, 他们). It carries 6 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 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
贵公司的报价太高, ____公司要求减价5%.
Your price is too high. We ask for reduction of 5 %.
