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钡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
bèibariumn, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #42825, Very Hard
bèibarium (chemistry)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #42825, Very Hard
bèi(bei4) T4
  1. 1barium
  2. 2barium (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(鋇)bèi(bei4)

钡 (bèi) refers to the chemical element barium, a soft, silvery-white metal that is part of the alkaline earth metals group. It is commonly used in various industrial applications, including the manufacturing of glass and ceramics, as well as in medical imaging as a contrast agent for X-rays.

Strokes9RadicalFrequency#42825DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese medicine, barium is not traditionally emphasized, but its use in modern medical imaging reflects the blend of ancient practices with contemporary science in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'b' for barium, surrounded by 'eight' (the number 8) because barium's atomic number is 56, which is 8 doubled. The character 钡 features the radical 钅 (metal), hinting at its metallic properties and chemical nature.

Meanings of 钡

bèi(bei4)
1barium
2barium (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 钡

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

Podcast: 钡

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 钡

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'b' for barium, surrounded by 'eight' (the number 8) because barium's atomic number is 56, which is 8 doubled. The character 钡 features the radical 钅 (metal), hinting at its metallic properties and chemical nature.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. It's typically used in scientific contexts, so it's less common in everyday conversation. It's important to pair it with terms like '元素' (element) or '化合物' (compound) for clarity.

HSK Study Tips

Although 钡 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be beneficial for learners interested in chemistry or related fields. Understanding this word can connect students to other elements and compounds, enhancing their scientific vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese medicine, barium is not traditionally emphasized, but its use in modern medical imaging reflects the blend of ancient practices with contemporary science in China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 钡 with similar-sounding characters like 背 (bèi), which means 'back.' Always remember that 钡 is associated with metals and chemistry, while 背 relates to body parts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 钡

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Etymology of 钡

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

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 贝 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鋇.

Memory Hint

metal

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 钡?

Decomposition of 钡

IDS Structure⿰钅贝
Full Character
=
jin1
left
Bei4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 钡?

Write 钡

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 钡

钡 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 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 1

Complete the Sentence

普通的陶瓷元件分别是钛酸____和锆钛酸铅.

Common ceramic elements are barium titanate and lead zirconate - titanate.

Example Sentences for 钡 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
普通的陶瓷元件分别是钛酸钡和锆钛酸铅.

pǔ tōng de táo cí yuán jiàn fēn bié shì tài suān bèi hé gào tài suān qiān.

Common ceramic elements are barium titanate and lead zirconate - titanate.

Cultural Notes for 钡

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese medicine, barium is not traditionally emphasized, but its use in modern medical imaging reflects the blend of ancient practices with contemporary science in China.

Word Family of 钡

Words Containing This Character1
bèibarium (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 钡 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 钡

Barium is significant due to its use in various applications, such as in X-ray imaging and producing glass, showcasing its importance in both industry and medicine.