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March 24, 2026
輩bèi(bei4)
The character 輩 (bèi) refers to a generation or a cohort of people born around the same time. It is often used to describe contemporaries or peers, emphasizing the shared experiences and characteristics of a particular age group.
Strokes15Radical車Frequency#59093DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of generational cohorts is significant, particularly in family and social contexts, where lineage and age play critical roles in respect and authority.
Memory Tip
Imagine a line of people, each representing a different generation, standing side by side. The character 輩 has the radical for 'vehicle' (車), suggesting movement through time, while the sound 'bèi' can remind you of 'bay', where waves of generations crash together.
Meanings of 輩
bèi(bei4)
1generation, lifetime; contemporary
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 輩
輩Simplified
15Strokes
車Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 輩
Podcast: 輩
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AI Study Notes for 輩
Quick Contrast
同辈 (tóng bèi) - refers specifically to peers or those of the same generation, while 輩 (bèi) can imply a broader generational context.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a line of people, each representing a different generation, standing side by side. The character 輩 has the radical for 'vehicle' (車), suggesting movement through time, while the sound 'bèi' can remind you of 'bay', where waves of generations crash together.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 輩; it is pronounced with a falling tone (bèi). This character is more formal and is typically used in written contexts or speeches rather than casual conversation. It often appears in phrases like '同輩' (tóng bèi), meaning 'contemporaries'.
HSK Study Tips
While 輩 is not included in the HSK levels, understanding it can enhance your grasp of generational contexts in Chinese literature and discussions. Focus on related words like 代 (dài) for 'generation' to enrich your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of generational cohorts is significant, particularly in family and social contexts, where lineage and age play critical roles in respect and authority.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 輩 with similar-sounding characters like 背 (bèi) meaning 'back'. Be careful to remember that 輩 specifically relates to generations. For example, saying '我和他是背' (wǒ hé tā shì bèi) instead of '我和他是輩' is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 輩
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Cultural Notes for 輩
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of generational cohorts is significant, particularly in family and social contexts, where lineage and age play critical roles in respect and authority.
Word Family of 輩
Words Containing This Character20
一辈子yíbèizi(for) a lifetime一輩子
辈子lifetime輩子
前辈qiánbèisenior前輩
辈bèilifetime輩
半辈子half of a lifetime半輩子
下辈子the next life下輩子
长辈zhǎngbèione's elders長輩
晚辈the younger generation晚輩
上辈子one's ancestors上輩子
老一辈previous generation老一輩
父辈people of one's parents' generation父輩
先辈elders先輩
后辈younger generation後輩
辈出to come forth in large numbers輩出
小辈the younger generation小輩
祖辈ancestors祖輩
鼠辈a scoundrel鼠輩
同辈peer同輩
祖祖辈辈for generations祖祖輩輩
辈分seniority in the family or clan輩分
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 一辈子 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 輩
It's not commonly used in casual speech; you might encounter it more in formal discussions or writings about social issues.
Common phrases include '同輩' (tóng bèi) meaning 'contemporaries' and '輩份' (bèi fèn), referring to one's social standing relative to others.
