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白酒 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
白酒báijiǔspirit usually distilled from sorghum or maizeHSK 4, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #18366, Medium
白酒báijiǔwhite spiritHSK 4, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #18366, Medium
báijiǔ(bai2jiu3)bai jiu T2
  1. 1spirit usually distilled from sorghum or maize
  2. 2white spirit
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March 24, 2026

白酒báijiǔ(bai2jiu3)

白酒 (bái jiǔ) refers to a strong distilled alcoholic beverage traditionally made from grains like sorghum or maize. It is widely consumed in China, often enjoyed during meals, celebrations, and social gatherings, and is characterized by its clear color and varied flavor profiles.

Strokes15Frequency#18366DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

白酒 is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, often used in toasts during banquets and special occasions such as weddings and the Lunar New Year. It symbolizes hospitality and respect.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'white drink' that makes you feel 'bright' (白 means white, and sounds like 'bái'). Visualize a festive gathering where people raise their glasses of clear 白酒, celebrating joyfully, reminding you of the strong spirit within.

Meanings of 白酒

báijiǔ(bai2jiu3)
1spirit usually distilled from sorghum or maize
2white spirit
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About 白酒

白酒Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 白酒

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Podcast: 白酒

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AI Study Notes for 白酒

Quick Contrast

米酒 (mǐjiǔ) — 米酒 is a fermented rice wine with a lower alcohol content, while 白酒 is a distilled spirit with a higher alcohol content.

Usage Notes

When using 白酒, it's common to pair it with food during meals. Be mindful of the tone; the second tone (bái) and the third tone (jiǔ) must be pronounced correctly to convey the right meaning. A common mistake is to confuse it with '酒' (jiǔ) alone, which refers to alcohol in general.

HSK Study Tips

Though 白酒 may not be in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to topics in levels 2 and 3 related to food and drink. Students should focus on the vocabulary surrounding dining and social customs in Chinese culture.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly pronounce 白酒 as 'bái jiū' with incorrect tones, which can lead to confusion. Ensure you use the correct second and third tones to avoid misunderstanding.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 白酒

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Component Characters

白báiwhite
HSK 55 strokes白
View full entry
酒jiǔwine (esp. rice wine)
HSK 310 strokes酉
View full entry

How to say spirit usually distilled from sorghum or maize in Chinese

“spirit usually distilled from sorghum or maize” in Chinese is白酒báijiǔ

白酒 (bái jiǔ) refers to a strong distilled alcoholic beverage traditionally made from grains like sorghum or maize. It is widely consumed in China, often enjoyed during meals, celebrations, and social gatherings, and is characterized by its clear color and varied flavor profiles.

When to use 白酒

When using 白酒, it's common to pair it with food during meals. Be mindful of the tone; the second tone (bái) and the third tone (jiǔ) must be pronounced correctly to convey the right meaning. A common mistake is to confuse it with '酒' (jiǔ) alone, which refers to alcohol in general.

白酒 or something close to it

米酒 (mǐjiǔ) — 米酒 is a fermented rice wine with a lower alcohol content, while 白酒 is a distilled spirit with a higher alcohol content.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly pronounce 白酒 as 'bái jiū' with incorrect tones, which can lead to confusion. Ensure you use the correct second and third tones to avoid misunderstanding.

Write 白酒

白
酒

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

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Common Confusions with 白酒

白酒vs酒
jiǔ

白酒 is a type of alcohol, while 酒 generally refers to alcohol.

Exercise 1 of 1

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Frequently Asked Questions about 白酒

Yes, 白酒 is typically quite strong, usually containing between 40% to 60% alcohol by volume. This high alcohol content contributes to its distinctive taste and is a reason why it is often consumed in small amounts or diluted with water during drinking occasions.

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