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March 24, 2026
丐gài(gai4)
The character 丐 (gài) primarily refers to the act of begging for alms, often associated with a beggar. It carries a sense of both the action of asking for help or charity and the identity of a person who relies on such acts for survival. In contemporary contexts, it may evoke discussions around poverty and social support.
Strokes4Radical一Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, beggars, represented by 丐, are often seen in urban areas, and their presence can spark conversations about the welfare system and societal responsibility. Historically, begging has been a visible part of city life, especially during times of hardship.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (the beggar) with a sign asking for help, raising their hand in a begging gesture, which resembles the shape of the character 丐. The radical for 'person' (亻) signifies humanity, emphasizing that this is about people in need.
Meanings of 丐
gài(gai4)
1to beg for alms
2beggar
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 丐
丐Simplified
4Strokes
一Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 丐
Podcast: 丐
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AI Study Notes for 丐
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person (the beggar) with a sign asking for help, raising their hand in a begging gesture, which resembles the shape of the character 丐. The radical for 'person' (亻) signifies humanity, emphasizing that this is about people in need.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 丐 in formal contexts, as it may carry a negative connotation depending on the situation. Common collocations include 丐帮 (gàibāng), meaning 'beggar gang', which refers to groups of beggars. Make sure to pronounce it with the fourth tone to convey the correct meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 丐 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it is useful for understanding socio-economic discussions in advanced levels. Focus on its usage in literature or news articles discussing poverty to deepen comprehension.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, beggars, represented by 丐, are often seen in urban areas, and their presence can spark conversations about the welfare system and societal responsibility. Historically, begging has been a visible part of city life, especially during times of hardship.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 丐 with 乞丐 (qǐgài), using them interchangeably. Remember, 丐 emphasizes the action of begging while 乞丐 is more commonly used to refer to beggars as people.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 丐
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Grammar Patterns of 丐
丐 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我们是不会资助那些乞____的。
We are not in the business of subsidising scroungers.
Example Sentences for 丐 (10)
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1
我们是不会资助那些乞丐的。
wǒ mén shì bù huì zī zhù nà xiē qǐ gài de。
We are not in the business of subsidising scroungers.
2
那个老乞丐蓬头垢面.
nà gè lǎo qǐ gài péng tóu gòu miàn.
The old beggar was dirty and unkempt.
3
那个乞丐躺在大街的阴面.
nà gè qǐ gài tǎng zài dà jiē de yīn miàn.
The beggar was lying the shady side of the street.
4
我给了这乞丐整整一千元.
wǒ gěi le zhè qǐ gài zhěng zhěng yī qiān yuán.
I gave the beggar as much as 1,000 yen.
5
丽莉受不了穷亲戚们那种乞丐般的苦日子.
lì lì shòu bù le qióng qīn qī mén nà zhǒng qǐ gài bān de kǔ rì zǐ.
Lily had no mind for the vagabond life of the poor relation.
When Tom gave him the money, the panhandler was surprised and seemed grateful.
10
那个乞丐是个瞎子, 照例拄着一根用得很旧了的手杖棍子.
nà gè qǐ gài shì gè xiā zǐ, , zhào lì zhǔ zháo yī gēn yòng dé hěn jiù le de shǒu zhàng gùn.
He was a blind begger, carrying the traditional battered cane.
Cultural Notes for 丐
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, beggars, represented by 丐, are often seen in urban areas, and their presence can spark conversations about the welfare system and societal responsibility. Historically, begging has been a visible part of city life, especially during times of hardship.
Word Family of 丐
Compounds3
钙gai4calcium (chemistry)
麫
鈣gai4calcium
Words Containing This Character3
乞丐qǐgàibeggar
丐gàibeggar
丐帮beggars' union丐幫
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 钙 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 丐
While 丐 specifically refers to the act of begging and the beggar's identity, other terms like 乞丐 (qǐgài) are more common and carry a broader sense of begging.
It can be sensitive; context matters greatly, so use it with caution, especially around discussions of poverty.
You can say '他是一个乞丐' (tā shì yīgè qǐgài) meaning 'He is a beggar', but be mindful of the implications.
