Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
狽bèi(bei4)
The character 狽 (bèi) refers to a legendary wolf, often associated with distress or wretchedness in a metaphorical sense. It is used in literary contexts to illustrate a sense of despair or unfortunate circumstances, reflecting deeper emotional states in stories or poetry.
Strokes10Radical犭Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese folklore, the wolf is often depicted as a cunning and powerful creature. The character 狽 evokes a sense of tragedy and misfortune, which can reflect cultural attitudes towards struggle and resilience in traditional stories.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wolf (the radical 狼) howling in the moonlight, feeling wretched and lost in the wilderness. The character 狽 can be remembered by picturing this sad wolf, as both the shape of the character and its meaning evoke feelings of distress.
Meanings of 狽
bèi(bei4)
1a legendary wolf; distressed, wretched
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 狽
狽Simplified
10Strokes
犭Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 狽
Podcast: 狽
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 狽
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wolf (the radical 狼) howling in the moonlight, feeling wretched and lost in the wilderness. The character 狽 can be remembered by picturing this sad wolf, as both the shape of the character and its meaning evoke feelings of distress.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 狽 with similar characters due to its uncommon usage. It is more frequently found in literary works rather than in everyday conversation, so be mindful of the context when using it. Also, ensure you pronounce it with the correct fourth tone to convey its meaning accurately.
HSK Study Tips
While 狽 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your reading of classical literature. Focus on recognizing it in context and connecting it to other characters related to animals or emotions, which are common in HSK materials.
Cultural Note
In Chinese folklore, the wolf is often depicted as a cunning and powerful creature. The character 狽 evokes a sense of tragedy and misfortune, which can reflect cultural attitudes towards struggle and resilience in traditional stories.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly confuse 狽 with other similar-sounding characters, such as 败 (bài), which means 'defeat' or 'failure'. To correct this, focus on the context and the emotional connotation associated with 狽.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 狽
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 狽 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 狽 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 狽
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese folklore, the wolf is often depicted as a cunning and powerful creature. The character 狽 evokes a sense of tragedy and misfortune, which can reflect cultural attitudes towards struggle and resilience in traditional stories.
Word Family of 狽
Words Containing This Character4
狼狈lángbèiin a difficult situation狼狽
狼狈为奸villains collude together (idiom); to work hand in glove with sb (to nefarious ends)狼狽為奸
狈bèidistressed狽
狼狈不堪battered and exhausted狼狽不堪
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 狼狈 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 狽
In literature, you might encounter a phrase like '他感到如同狽一样的绝望', meaning 'He felt as wretched as a wolf'.
No, it is primarily found in classical texts and poetry rather than in contemporary conversation.
It is pronounced with a fourth tone, bèi, which is critical for conveying its meaning.
