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闭塞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
闭塞bìsèto stop upHSK 6, v, 19 strokes, rank #32118, Hard
闭塞bìsèto close upHSK 6, v, 19 strokes, rank #32118, Hard
闭塞bìsèhard to get toHSK 6, v, 19 strokes, rank #32118, Hard
闭塞bìsèout of the wayHSK 6, v, 19 strokes, rank #32118, Hard
闭塞bìsèinaccessibleHSK 6, v, 19 strokes, rank #32118, Hard
闭塞bìsèunenlightenedHSK 6, v, 19 strokes, rank #32118, Hard
闭塞bìsèblockingHSK 6, v, 19 strokes, rank #32118, Hard
bìsè(bi4se4)bi se T4
  1. 1to stop up
  2. 2to close up
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March 24, 2026

闭塞(閉塞)bìsè(bi4se4)

闭塞 (bi4 se4) primarily means to obstruct or close off something, making it difficult to access or understand. It can refer to physical obstructions, such as a blocked path, or metaphorical ones, such as a lack of enlightenment or understanding in a debate or idea.

Strokes19Frequency#32118DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of being 闭塞 often relates to education and open-mindedness; those who are considered 闭塞 may be viewed as lacking exposure to new ideas or perspectives, which is significant in the context of social and intellectual discourse.

Memory tip

Imagine a 'closed' door (闭) with a 'block' (塞) in front of it, making it impossible to enter. Picture someone trying to get through but finding the door completely closed off, symbolizing both physical and intellectual barriers.

Meanings of 闭塞

bìsè(bi4se4)
1to stop up
2to close up
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 闭塞

闭塞Simplified
閉塞Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#32118Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 闭塞

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Podcast: 闭塞

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AI study notes for 闭塞

Quick Contrast

阻塞 (zǔsè) - use 闭塞 when referring to metaphorical obstructions, while 阻塞 typically refers to physical blockages.

Usage Notes

When using 闭塞, be careful with the context; it can imply both physical and metaphorical meanings. It is often used in more formal or literary settings. Common collocations include '闭塞的思想' (uninformed thinking) and '闭塞的道路' (blocked road).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 闭塞 connects with words related to obstruction and communication. Focus on understanding both the physical and metaphorical uses, which can enhance your vocabulary in discussions about accessibility and enlightenment.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 闭塞 with similar words like 阻塞 (zǔsè). For example, saying '他是闭塞的思想' (Tā shì bìsè de sīxiǎng) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '他的思想很闭塞' (Tā de sīxiǎng hěn bìsè) to denote that his thinking is uninformed.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 闭塞

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Component characters

闭bìto close
HSK 66 strokes门
View full entry
塞sāiSerbia
HSK 613 strokes土
View full entry

How to say to stop up in Chinese

“to stop up” in Chinese is闭塞bìsè

闭塞 (bi4 se4) primarily means to obstruct or close off something, making it difficult to access or understand. It can refer to physical obstructions, such as a blocked path, or metaphorical ones, such as a lack of enlightenment or understanding in a debate or idea.

When to use 闭塞

When using 闭塞, be careful with the context; it can imply both physical and metaphorical meanings. It is often used in more formal or literary settings. Common collocations include '闭塞的思想' (uninformed thinking) and '闭塞的道路' (blocked road).

闭塞 or something close to it

阻塞 (zǔsè) - use 闭塞 when referring to metaphorical obstructions, while 阻塞 typically refers to physical blockages.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 闭塞 with similar words like 阻塞 (zǔsè). For example, saying '他是闭塞的思想' (Tā shì bìsè de sīxiǎng) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '他的思想很闭塞' (Tā de sīxiǎng hěn bìsè) to denote that his thinking is uninformed.

Write 闭塞

闭
塞

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Grammar patterns of 闭塞

闭塞 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我都快忘了,伦敦有时看上去会多么地____。

I've quite forgotten how closed in London can seem.

Example sentences for 闭塞 (1)

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1
我都快忘了,伦敦有时看上去会多么地闭塞。

wǒ dōu kuài wàng le, lún dūn yǒushí kànshangqu huì duōme dì bìsè。

I've quite forgotten how closed in London can seem.

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Frequently asked questions about 闭塞

Yes, but it is more common in formal contexts or when discussing deeper topics, such as philosophy or social issues.

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