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铍 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
铍píberylliumg, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #23682, Very Hard
铍píberyllium (chemistry)unknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #23682, Very Hard
铍pīberylliumg, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #23682, Very Hard
铍pīberyllium (chemistry)unknown, 10 strokes, radical 钅, rank #23682, Very Hard
pī(pi1)
primary
T1
  1. 1beryllium
  2. 2beryllium (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

铍(鈹)pī(pi1)

铍 (pī) refers to the chemical element beryllium, which is a lightweight and strong metal often used in aerospace and nuclear applications. In chemistry, it is denoted by the symbol Be and is known for its unique properties, such as high melting point and low density. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation, mainly appearing in scientific contexts.

Strokes10Radical钅Frequency#23682DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In China, beryllium is significant in the context of the country's growing aerospace industry, where lightweight materials are crucial for efficiency. Understanding such elements can help learners grasp modern advancements in Chinese technology.

Memory Tip

Think of '铍' as a 'p' in the shape of a metal beam. The radical '金' (metal) on the left emphasizes that it’s a metal, while the '比' (bǐ) sounds like 'bee', reminding you that beryllium is a 'lightweight bee' of metals, buzzing around in scientific labs.

Meanings of 铍

pī(pi1)
primary
1beryllium
2beryllium (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 铍

铍Simplified
鈹Traditional
10Strokes
钅Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 铍

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Podcast: 铍

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AI Study Notes for 铍

Usage Notes

When discussing beryllium, it's important to note that it is often used in a technical or scientific context, which may require specialized vocabulary. Avoid using it in casual conversations about metals, as it may confuse listeners. Also, be careful with the pronunciation; the tone is crucial to convey the correct meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 铍 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial for learners interested in chemistry or engineering. Familiarizing yourself with chemical elements and their properties can enhance your technical vocabulary in Chinese. Focus on learning related terms like '金属' (jīnshǔ, metal) and '元素' (yuánsù, element).

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 铍 (beryllium) with other metals due to similar pronunciation. For example, mixing it up with 铜 (tóng, copper) is common; remember that 铍 is a specific metal used in specialized fields.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 铍

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Etymology of 铍

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

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 皮 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鈹.

Memory Hint

metal

Semantic (meaning)钅
+
Phonetic (sound)皮
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 铍

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 皮 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鈹.

  1. 1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half皮 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymetal
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 铍? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 铍?

Decomposition of 铍

IDS Structure⿰钅皮
铍Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
皮Pi2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 铍?

How to say beryllium in Chinese

“beryllium” in Chinese is铍pí

铍 (pī) refers to the chemical element beryllium, which is a lightweight and strong metal often used in aerospace and nuclear applications. In chemistry, it is denoted by the symbol Be and is known for its unique properties, such as high melting point and low density. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation, mainly appearing in scientific contexts.

When to use 铍

When discussing beryllium, it's important to note that it is often used in a technical or scientific context, which may require specialized vocabulary. Avoid using it in casual conversations about metals, as it may confuse listeners. Also, be careful with the pronunciation; the tone is crucial to convey the correct meaning.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 铍 (beryllium) with other metals due to similar pronunciation. For example, mixing it up with 铜 (tóng, copper) is common; remember that 铍 is a specific metal used in specialized fields.

Write 铍

铍

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 铍

Words Containing This Character1
铍pīberyllium (chemistry)鈹
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 铍 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 铍

Beryllium is valued for its strength and lightweight properties, making it essential in aerospace and military applications.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 铍?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.