unknown, 18 strokes, radical 足, rank #66760, Very Hard
bié(bie2) T2
1to limp
2limp
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March 24, 2026
蹩bié(bie2)
蹩 (bié) means 'to limp' or 'limp,' typically referring to an unsteady or uneven gait often due to injury or discomfort. This term is commonly used in both medical contexts and everyday conversations when discussing someone's walking condition or a temporary physical limitation.
Strokes18Radical足Frequency#66760DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of limping can relate to underlying health conditions that are often tied to the balance of 'yin' and 'yang' within the body, highlighting the cultural significance of body harmony.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'bent' leg that causes someone to 'limp' along. The character 蹩 resembles someone struggling to walk straight, with the foot (足) at the bottom indicating movement related to legs.
Meanings of 蹩
bié(bie2)
1to limp
2limp
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 蹩
蹩Simplified
18Strokes
足Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蹩
Podcast: 蹩
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AI Study Notes for 蹩
Quick Contrast
跛 (bǒ) vs 蹩 (bié): use 蹩 for a general or temporary limp, while 跛 specifically refers to a permanent or severe limp.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'bent' leg that causes someone to 'limp' along. The character 蹩 resembles someone struggling to walk straight, with the foot (足) at the bottom indicating movement related to legs.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 蹩 with related terms like 跛 (bǒ), which also means 'to limp' but carries a more permanent connotation. Use 蹩 in informal contexts, while more formal situations might require a different term. Pay attention to tone, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 蹩 is not an HSK level vocabulary word, it connects with other movement-related words like 跑 (pǎo, to run) and走 (zǒu, to walk). Students should focus on variations of movement to expand their vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of limping can relate to underlying health conditions that are often tied to the balance of 'yin' and 'yang' within the body, highlighting the cultural significance of body harmony.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly write 蹩 as 跛, leading to confusion between temporary and permanent limping. Ensure you differentiate between the two by remembering that 蹩 implies a more casual or temporary condition.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蹩
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Grammar Patterns of 蹩
蹩 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他是个____脚的演员。
He was a poor actor.
Example Sentences for 蹩 (5)
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1
他是个蹩脚的演员。
tā shì gè bié jiǎo de yǎn yuán。
He was a poor actor.
2
他们现在会找个蹩脚的借口重新发动战争。
tā mén xiàn zài huì zhǎo gè bié jiǎo de jiè kǒu zhòng xīn fā dòng zhàn zhēng。
They would now find some dubious pretext to restart the war.
3
他含含糊糊地找了个蹩脚的借口，想要解释自己为什么睡着了。
tā hán hán hū hū dì zhǎo le gè bié jiǎo de jiè kǒu， ， xiǎng yào jiě shì zì jǐ wéi shí mó shuì zháo。
He mumbled some lame excuse about having gone to sleep.
4
歌词平淡老套，押韵生硬蹩脚。
gē cí píng dàn lǎo tào， ， yā yùn shēng yìng bié。
The lyrics are banal and the rhymes clumsy.
5
有一支蹩脚的乐队在演奏。
yǒu yī zhī bié jiǎo de lè duì zài yǎn zòu。
There was a naff band playing.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
He was a poor actor.
Tap tokens to build the sentence
Cultural Notes for 蹩
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of limping can relate to underlying health conditions that are often tied to the balance of 'yin' and 'yang' within the body, highlighting the cultural significance of body harmony.
Word Family of 蹩
Words Containing This Character2
蹩脚inferior蹩腳
蹩biélimp
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 蹩脚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 蹩
You can say '他今天蹩着走' (tā jīntiān bié zhe zǒu) meaning 'He is limping today.'
Yes, 蹩 is used in both forms, but be mindful of the context, as more formal terms may be preferred in writing.
Synonyms include 跛 (bǒ) for a more permanent limp and 拐 (guǎi) which means to hobble or limp, often used informally.
