unknown, 20 strokes, radical 髟, rank #26118, Very Hard
鬓
bìn
hair on the temples
unknown, 20 strokes, radical 髟, rank #26118, Very Hard
bìn(bin4) T4
1hair on temples
2temples
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
鬓(鬢)bìn(bin4)
The character 鬓 (bìn) refers specifically to the hair on the temples, which is the area on the side of the head between the forehead and the ears. This term is often used in discussions about hairstyles or grooming, particularly in contexts related to traditional Chinese aesthetics or when describing someone's appearance.
Strokes20Radical髟Frequency#26118DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, hair is often associated with beauty and status, and traditional hairstyles can signify social standing or age. 鬓 specifically highlights the importance of grooming and appearance in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'bin' filled with beautiful hair flowing down from the temples. The character 鬓 has a complex form, suggesting its connection to hair, as the top part resembles hair strands while the bottom part relates to facial features, emphasizing its placement near the temples.
Meanings of 鬓
bìn(bin4)
1hair on temples
2temples
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 鬓
鬓Simplified
鬢Traditional
20Strokes
髟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 鬓
Podcast: 鬓
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AI Study Notes for 鬓
Quick Contrast
鬓 (bìn) vs 头发 (tóufǎ) — use 鬓 for the specific hair at the temples, while 头发 refers to hair in general.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'bin' filled with beautiful hair flowing down from the temples. The character 鬓 has a complex form, suggesting its connection to hair, as the top part resembles hair strands while the bottom part relates to facial features, emphasizing its placement near the temples.
Usage Notes
While 鬓 is a specific term for temple hair, it is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to more general terms for hair. Be aware that using 鬓 in informal settings might sound overly formal or poetic. Common collocations include 鬓发 (bìn fà), meaning 'temple hair.'
HSK Study Tips
Although 鬓 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding this word can enhance your vocabulary related to body parts and beauty. Focus on related words like 头发 (tóu fà, 'hair') to strengthen your grasp on hair-related vocabulary in Mandarin.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, hair is often associated with beauty and status, and traditional hairstyles can signify social standing or age. 鬓 specifically highlights the importance of grooming and appearance in social interactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 鬓 with 头发, using it interchangeably. For example, saying '我有很多鬓' (I have a lot of temple hair) is incorrect; the correct term would be '我有很多头发.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 鬓
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Grammar Patterns of 鬓
鬓 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 3 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 2
Complete the Sentence
他的胡须和____发里夹杂着缕缕银丝。
Threads of silver ran through his beard and the hair at his temples.
Example Sentences for 鬓 (2)
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1
他的胡须和鬓发里夹杂着缕缕银丝。
tā de hú xū hé bìn fā lǐ jiā zá zháo lǚ lǚ yín sī。
Threads of silver ran through his beard and the hair at his temples.
2
他个子高,头顶秃,腮边蓄着鬓胡.
tā gè zǐ gāo, , tóu dǐng, tū , sāi biān xù zháo.
He was a tall bald man wearing sideburns.
Cultural Notes for 鬓
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, hair is often associated with beauty and status, and traditional hairstyles can signify social standing or age. 鬓 specifically highlights the importance of grooming and appearance in social interactions.
Word Family of 鬓
Words Containing This Character5
鬓bìntemples鬢
鬓角sideburns鬢角
鬓发hair on the temples鬢髮
耳鬓厮磨lit. heads rubbing together (idiom)耳鬢廝磨
云鬓a woman's beautiful, thick hair雲鬢
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 鬓 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 鬓
It is pronounced as 'bìn' with a falling tone.
It is more commonly found in literary or formal contexts rather than casual conversation.
鬓 specifically refers to the hair on the temples, while 头发 refers to hair in general.
