HSK 2, n, 10 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #937, Medium
笔
bǐ
pencil
HSK 2, n, 10 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #937, Medium
笔
bǐ
writing brush
HSK 2, n, 10 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #937, Medium
笔
bǐ
to write or compose
HSK 2, n, 10 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #937, Medium
笔
bǐ
the strokes of Chinese characters
HSK 2, n, 10 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #937, Medium
笔
bǐ
classifier for sums of money, deals
HSK 2, n, 10 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #937, Medium
笔
bǐ
pen, pencil, writing brush; to compose, to write; Hanzi stroke
HSK 2, n, 10 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #937, Medium
bǐ(bi3) T3
1pen
2pencil
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
笔(筆)bǐ(bi3)
The character 笔 (bǐ) primarily means 'pen' or 'writing brush' and is used to refer to instruments for writing or composing text. It can also denote the strokes of Chinese characters themselves, reflecting its importance in the context of writing and calligraphy. Additionally, 笔 serves as a classifier for sums of money or deals, emphasizing its versatility in different contexts.
Strokes10Radical⺮Frequency#937DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, calligraphy is a highly esteemed art form, and the 笔 (writing brush) is essential for this craft. The skillful use of the brush reflects one’s education and character, making it a significant tool beyond mere writing.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'bee' (sounds like 'bǐ') writing with a brush. The character 笔 combines the radical for bamboo (竹) on the left, symbolizing the material often used for pens, and the component for 'to write' on the right. Picture the bee using its tiny brush to paint beautiful characters on paper.
Meanings of 笔
bǐ(bi3)
1pen
2pencil
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 笔
笔Simplified
筆Traditional
10Strokes
⺮Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#937Frequency Rank
支Measure Word
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 笔
Podcast: 笔
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AI Study Notes for 笔
Quick Contrast
笔 (bǐ, pen) vs 毛笔 (máobǐ, brush) — use 笔 for general writing instruments, and 毛笔 specifically for brushes used in calligraphy.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'bee' (sounds like 'bǐ') writing with a brush. The character 笔 combines the radical for bamboo (竹) on the left, symbolizing the material often used for pens, and the component for 'to write' on the right. Picture the bee using its tiny brush to paint beautiful characters on paper.
Usage Notes
When using 笔, be aware of its various contexts to avoid confusion. A common mistake is to use it interchangeably with other writing instruments without considering the specific type, such as using 笔 for 'pencil' when you mean 'pen'. It's generally informal, but can be used in formal settings as well.
HSK Study Tips
Though 笔 is not included in the official HSK levels, it connects well with other basic vocabulary related to writing, such as 写 (xiě - to write) and 纸 (zhǐ - paper). Focus on using 笔 in sentences related to education and daily writing activities to reinforce its meanings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, calligraphy is a highly esteemed art form, and the 笔 (writing brush) is essential for this craft. The skillful use of the brush reflects one’s education and character, making it a significant tool beyond mere writing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 笔 with other writing-related terms. For example, saying '铅笔' (qiānbǐ) for pen is incorrect; '铅笔' specifically means pencil. Always clarify the type of writing instrument you are referring to.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 笔
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Grammar Patterns of 笔
笔 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 7 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.
The hospital blamed the mix-up on a clerical error.
10
他坐在书桌后吃力地写着，用的是一支部队发的钢笔。
tā zuò zài shū zhuō hòu chī lì dì xiě zháo， ， yòng de shì yī zhī bù duì fā de gāng。
He sat behind a desk laboriously writing with an Army issue pen.
Cultural Notes for 笔
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, calligraphy is a highly esteemed art form, and the 笔 (writing brush) is essential for this craft. The skillful use of the brush reflects one’s education and character, making it a significant tool beyond mere writing.
Word Family of 笔
Compounds1
滗bi4to drain
Words Containing This Character20
笔bǐpen筆
笔记本bǐjìběnnotebook (stationery)筆記本
笔者the author筆者
笔记bǐjìnotes筆記
铅笔qiānbǐ(lead) pencil鉛筆
笔迹handwriting筆跡
亲笔in one's own handwriting親筆
笔录transcript筆錄
钢笔gāngbǐfountain pen鋼筆
笔直perfectly straight筆直
笔试bǐshìwritten examination筆試
笔下the wording and purport of what one writes筆下
粉笔chalk粉筆
蜡笔crayon蠟筆
文笔writings文筆
圆珠笔yuánzhūbǐballpoint pen圓珠筆
一笔勾销to write off at one stroke一筆勾銷
笔名pen name筆名
笔墨words筆墨
毛笔máobǐwriting brush毛筆
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 滗 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 笔
笔 refers generally to any writing instrument like a pen or brush, while 钢笔 specifically means 'ink pen'.
Yes, 笔 can refer to both, but it's more commonly associated with pens and brushes in formal contexts.
Think of 'bee' (bǐ) as a writing bee, which helps link the sound with its meaning.
