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身边 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
身边shēnbiānat one's sideHSK 3, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #849, Medium
身边shēnbiānon handHSK 3, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #849, Medium
shēnbiān(shen1bian1) T1
  1. 1at one's side
  2. 2on hand
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March 24, 2026

身边(身邊)shēnbiān(shen1bian1)

身边 (shēnbiān) refers to the area or space immediately surrounding a person, often implying something that is close or readily available. It is commonly used to describe people or objects that are physically nearby, and can also indicate emotional closeness or support in relationships.

Strokes12Frequency#849DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of being close to someone is often associated with support and care, reflecting the importance of community and family ties. 身边 can often appear in discussions about friendship or family dynamics.

Memory Tip

Imagine you have a friend who is always at your side, helping you when you need it. The character 身 (shēn) resembles a person standing, while 边 (biān) suggests a boundary or edge. Picture your friend standing right next to you, always within your personal boundary.

Meanings of 身边

shēnbiān(shen1bian1)
1at one's side
2on hand
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About 身边

身边Simplified
身邊Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 身边

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Podcast: 身边

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AI Study Notes for 身边

Quick Contrast

附近 (fùjìn) refers to a nearby area but does not imply the personal closeness that 身边 does.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is to confuse 身边 with 身体 (shēntǐ), which means 'body'. Remember, 身边 emphasizes proximity and presence rather than the physical body itself. This term is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's often more casual in speech.

HSK Study Tips

身边 is not currently listed in the HSK vocabulary, but it can be useful for HSK Level 3 learners as they expand their ability to describe surroundings and relationships. Focus on using this term in context with other location and relationship words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 身边 in a more abstract sense, as in 'my thoughts are by my side', which is incorrect. Instead, focus on physical proximity: '我身边有很多书' (There are many books beside me).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 身边

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Component Characters

身shēnbody
HSK 47 strokes身
View full entry
边biānside
HSK 15 strokes辶
View full entry

How to say at one's side in Chinese

“at one's side” in Chinese is身边shēnbiān

身边 (shēnbiān) refers to the area or space immediately surrounding a person, often implying something that is close or readily available. It is commonly used to describe people or objects that are physically nearby, and can also indicate emotional closeness or support in relationships.

When to use 身边

A common mistake is to confuse 身边 with 身体 (shēntǐ), which means 'body'. Remember, 身边 emphasizes proximity and presence rather than the physical body itself. This term is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's often more casual in speech.

身边 or something close to it

附近 (fùjìn) refers to a nearby area but does not imply the personal closeness that 身边 does.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 身边 in a more abstract sense, as in 'my thoughts are by my side', which is incorrect. Instead, focus on physical proximity: '我身边有很多书' (There are many books beside me).

Write 身边

身
边

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 身边

No, 身边 specifically refers to things that are close or at one's side.

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