Meanings of 侧
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 侧
Podcast: 侧
Podcast: 侧
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 侧
侧 (cè) vs 边 (biān) — use 侧 when emphasizing a leaning or lateral position, while 边 refers more generally to the edge or boundary of something.
Imagine a person leaning to the side, trying to pick up something heavy. The character 侧 (cè) has a radical that resembles a person leaning (亻) combined with a symbol for a side (侧). Picture this person saying 'I need to lean to the side' to remember the sound and meaning.
Be cautious not to confuse 侧 with similar characters like 侧面 (cèmiàn), which means 'side surface.' This term is usually used in both formal and informal contexts. Pay attention to the tone; 'cè' is pronounced with a falling tone, which can change the meaning if pronounced incorrectly.
While 侧 is not included in the official HSK levels, it connects well with vocabulary related to directions and positions, such as 左 (left) and 右 (right). Students should focus on pronunciation and usage in phrases to deepen their understanding.
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'side' can relate to social dynamics, such as favoring one group over another. The idea of leaning towards one side may also be reflected in traditional Chinese philosophies that emphasize balance and harmony.
Learners often mistakenly use 侧 in place of 旁 (páng), which means 'beside.' For example, saying '我在侧边' (wǒ zài cèbiān) instead of '我在旁边' (wǒ zài pángbiān) can lead to confusion. Correct usage emphasizes the leaning aspect rather than mere proximity.
Pronunciation of 侧
Drill the tone of 侧 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 侧
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 则 represents the sound. Simplified form of 側.
person
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 侧?
Decomposition of 侧
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 侧?
Write 侧
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 侧 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 侧
侧 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 8 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.
Complete the Sentence
我____一步要躲闪的时候，瓶子打中了我的左髋部。
As I sidestepped, the bottle hit me on the left hip.
Example Sentences for 侧 (10)
Cultural Notes for 侧
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'side' can relate to social dynamics, such as favoring one group over another. The idea of leaning towards one side may also be reflected in traditional Chinese philosophies that emphasize balance and harmony.
Word Family of 侧
Compound Meaning
What does 侧 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 侧
Common phrases include 侧身 (cèshēn), meaning 'turning to the side,' and 侧面 (cèmiàn), meaning 'side surface.'