unknown, 9 strokes, radical 比, rank #46995, Very Hard
毖
bì
to prevent
unknown, 9 strokes, radical 比, rank #46995, Very Hard
bì(bi4) T4
1caution; to guard against, to take care
2careful
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
毖bì(bi4)
The character 毖 (bì) conveys the concept of caution and carefulness, often implying a sense of guarding against potential dangers or mistakes. It is used in contexts where prevention and attentiveness are emphasized, such as in safety instructions or when advising someone to be careful in a situation.
Strokes9Radical比Frequency#46995DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of caution is deeply rooted in teachings such as Confucianism, which emphasizes carefulness in behavior and thought to avoid conflict and ensure harmony.
Memory Tip
Imagine a vigilant mother (the radical 母, meaning 'mother') watching over her children to keep them safe from harm. The character 毖 looks like a protective shield, symbolizing her caution and care.
Meanings of 毖
bì(bi4)
1caution; to guard against, to take care
2careful
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 毖
毖Simplified
9Strokes
比Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 毖
Podcast: 毖
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 毖
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a vigilant mother (the radical 母, meaning 'mother') watching over her children to keep them safe from harm. The character 毖 looks like a protective shield, symbolizing her caution and care.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 毖 with similar characters that have different meanings. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, typically in advice or warnings. Common collocations include phrases like '小心' (xiǎoxīn, to be careful) where 毖 may imply an added layer of caution.
HSK Study Tips
While 毖 is not an HSK level character, understanding it can enhance vocabulary related to safety and caution. Students should focus on recognizing its meaning in context and how it complements other HSK words that express care and prevention.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of caution is deeply rooted in teachings such as Confucianism, which emphasizes carefulness in behavior and thought to avoid conflict and ensure harmony.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 毖 with its phonetically similar character 母 (mǔ, meaning 'mother'). Remember that 毖 relates to caution, while 母 refers to motherhood. An incorrect usage would be saying '母事' to mean 'caution,' when it should be '毖事.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 毖
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 毖 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 毖 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 毖
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of caution is deeply rooted in teachings such as Confucianism, which emphasizes carefulness in behavior and thought to avoid conflict and ensure harmony.
Word Family of 毖
Words Containing This Character2
毖bìcareful
惩前毖后lit. to punish those before to prevent those after (idiom); to criticize former mistakes firmly to prevent them happening again懲前毖後
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 毖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 毖
You can say '我会特别小心以防万一' (Wǒ huì tèbié xiǎoxīn yǐfáng wàn yī), meaning 'I will be especially cautious just in case.'
Yes, synonyms include '小心' (xiǎoxīn, careful) and '谨慎' (jǐnshèn, cautious).
It is not commonly used as a standalone word but appears in phrases related to caution and prevention.
