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膑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
膑bìnkneecapg, 14 strokes, radical ⺼
bìn(bin4)bin T4
  1. 1kneecap
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March 24, 2026

膑(臏)bìn(bin4)

The character 膑 (bìn) refers specifically to the kneecap, which is the small bone that protects the knee joint. This term is often used in medical contexts, particularly when discussing anatomy or injuries related to the knee. As a variant of 髕 (bìn), it can also be found in specialized texts related to health and physiology.

Strokes14Radical⺼
Cultural note

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the health of the knees is considered vital for overall mobility and vitality, making terms like 膑 significant when discussing physical wellness and injury prevention.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'bin' filled with 'kneecaps' to remember 膑 (bìn). The radical 肉 (ròu) indicates that this character is related to flesh or body parts, linking it to the idea of the kneecap being a crucial part of our legs. Visualize a large knee with a 'bin' on top, protecting it.

Meanings of 膑

bìn(bin4)
1kneecap
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 膑

膑Simplified
臏Traditional
14Strokes
⺼Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 膑

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AI study notes for 膑

Quick Contrast

髕 (bìn) refers to the same anatomical structure but is more commonly used in medical terminology; use 膑 when discussing general or non-technical contexts.

Usage Notes

Because 膑 is a less commonly used variant, learners might confuse it with 髕, which is more frequently encountered. This term is more technical and is typically used in medical or anatomical discussions, so it's best used in formal contexts. Be careful with pronunciation; the tone is important to convey the correct meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an unknown HSK level character, 膑 is not included in the standard curriculum but relates to HSK 4-5 vocabulary concerning anatomy and health. Students should focus on recognizing the character in texts about medicine and understanding its context within anatomy-related discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 膑 with other terms related to the knee, such as 膝 (xī, meaning knee). For example, saying '我膑疼' (Wǒ bìn téng) instead of '我膝疼' (Wǒ xī téng) can lead to misunderstandings, as it implies a specific reference to the kneecap rather than the knee itself.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 膑

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Etymology of 膑

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

flesh

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

Origin

膑 = ⺼ + 宾. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 膑

IDS Structure⿰⺼宾
膑Full character
=
⺼rou4
left
宾bin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 膑?

How to say kneecap in Chinese

“kneecap” in Chinese is膑bìn

The character 膑 (bìn) refers specifically to the kneecap, which is the small bone that protects the knee joint. This term is often used in medical contexts, particularly when discussing anatomy or injuries related to the knee. As a variant of 髕 (bìn), it can also be found in specialized texts related to health and physiology.

When to use 膑

Because 膑 is a less commonly used variant, learners might confuse it with 髕, which is more frequently encountered. This term is more technical and is typically used in medical or anatomical discussions, so it's best used in formal contexts. Be careful with pronunciation; the tone is important to convey the correct meaning.

膑 or something close to it

髕 (bìn) refers to the same anatomical structure but is more commonly used in medical terminology; use 膑 when discussing general or non-technical contexts.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 膑 with other terms related to the knee, such as 膝 (xī, meaning knee). For example, saying '我膑疼' (Wǒ bìn téng) instead of '我膝疼' (Wǒ xī téng) can lead to misunderstandings, as it implies a specific reference to the kneecap rather than the knee itself.

Write 膑

膑

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

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Word Family of 膑

Words containing this character2
孙膑Sun Bin (-316 BC), political strategist of the School of Diplomacy 縱橫家|纵横家[Zòng​héng​jiā] during the Warring States Period (425-221 BC)孫臏
膑bìnkneecapping臏
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 膑

What does 孙膑 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 膑

膑 is a variant of 髕, both referring to the kneecap, but 髕 is more commonly used in modern contexts.

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