Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
秕 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
秕bǐchaff, huskn, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #85202, Very Hard
秕bǐgrain not fully grownunknown, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #85202, Very Hard
秕bǐhusksunknown, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #85202, Very Hard
秕bǐwithered grainunknown, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #85202, Very Hard
秕bǐunripe grainunknown, 9 strokes, radical 禾, rank #85202, Very Hard
bǐ(bi3)bi T3
  1. 1chaff, husk
  2. 2grain not fully grown
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

秕bǐ(bi3)

The character 秕 (bǐ) refers to the inedible outer layers of grains, particularly the husk or chaff that is removed during the harvesting process. It can also denote grain that is not fully matured or is considered inferior. Commonly used in agricultural contexts, it carries a nuance of something that is undesirable or not fully developed.

Strokes9Radical禾Frequency#85202DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese agriculture, the quality of grain was essential for sustenance, and terms like 秕 highlight the importance of distinguishing between good and bad harvests. This character reflects the significance of grain quality in Chinese farming practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a field of grains swaying in the wind, but among them, there are some plants with weak, withered stalks. The character 秕 has a '禾' radical that looks like a grain plant, and '非' suggests something that is not desirable. Picture these weak grains as the 'non-grains' or 'chaff' of the harvest.

Meanings of 秕

bǐ(bi3)
1chaff, husk
2grain not fully grown
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 秕 means.

About 秕

秕Simplified
9Strokes
禾Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 秕

JasonAmy

Podcast: 秕

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 秕

Quick Contrast

秕 (bǐ) vs 败 (bài) — choose 秕 when referring specifically to undesirable grain husks, while 败 indicates a general sense of failure or defeat.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 秕 with similar-sounding characters. This term is more formal and is often used in agricultural discussions, so avoid using it in casual conversations. It often collocates with terms related to agriculture, such as '禾' (grain) and '稻' (rice).

HSK Study Tips

Although 秕 is not an HSK word, it fits well within the agricultural vocabulary context of HSK Level 3 and above. Students should focus on recognizing it in texts related to farming or food production.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 秕 with similar sounding characters like 鼻 (bí), which means 'nose'. It's important to remember that 秕 specifically relates to agriculture and is not used in casual settings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 秕

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 秕 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 秕 to You

Let me explain 秕 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 秕 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 秕?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 秕 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 秕

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

grain

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

Origin

秕 = 禾 + 比. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 秕

IDS Structure⿰禾比
秕Full Character
=
禾he2
left
比Bi3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 秕?

How to say chaff, husk in Chinese

“chaff, husk” in Chinese is秕bǐ

The character 秕 (bǐ) refers to the inedible outer layers of grains, particularly the husk or chaff that is removed during the harvesting process. It can also denote grain that is not fully matured or is considered inferior. Commonly used in agricultural contexts, it carries a nuance of something that is undesirable or not fully developed.

When to use 秕

Be careful not to confuse 秕 with similar-sounding characters. This term is more formal and is often used in agricultural discussions, so avoid using it in casual conversations. It often collocates with terms related to agriculture, such as '禾' (grain) and '稻' (rice).

秕 or something close to it

秕 (bǐ) vs 败 (bài) — choose 秕 when referring specifically to undesirable grain husks, while 败 indicates a general sense of failure or defeat.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 秕 with similar sounding characters like 鼻 (bí), which means 'nose'. It's important to remember that 秕 specifically relates to agriculture and is not used in casual settings.

Write 秕

秕

Practice writing 秕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 秕?

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 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 秕

Words Containing This Character3
秕bǐhusks
秕糠chaff
秕子blighted grain
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 秕

What does 秕糠 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 秕

It primarily refers to chaff or husks, which are the inedible parts of grains.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 秕?

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