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弁 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
弁biàn(old) cap (garment)unknown, 5 strokes, radical 廾
弁biànmilitary officer of low rank (in former times)unknown, 5 strokes, radical 廾
弁biànprecedingunknown, 5 strokes, radical 廾
弁biànconical cap worn during the Zhou dynastyg, 5 strokes, radical 廾
biàn(bian4)bian T4
  1. 1(old) cap (garment)
  2. 2military officer of low rank (in former times)
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March 24, 2026

弁biàn(bian4)

The character 弁 (biàn) primarily refers to a conical cap historically worn during the Zhou dynasty, symbolizing status and rank. It can also denote a type of cap or represent a low-ranking military officer in ancient times. In contemporary usage, it may imply something that precedes or comes before.

Strokes5Radical廾
Cultural note

The 弁 cap is rooted in ancient Chinese ceremonial dress, often associated with Confucian scholars and officials during the Zhou dynasty, reflecting social hierarchy and cultural values of the time.

Memory tip

Imagine a conical cap (弁) sitting on the head of a low-ranking officer, with the point of the cone representing the idea of 'preceding' others. The character looks like a cap with a side view, helping you remember its meaning and pronunciation, biàn, as if the cap is 'bending' forward.

Meanings of 弁

biàn(bian4)
1(old) cap (garment)
2military officer of low rank (in former times)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 弁

弁Simplified
5Strokes
廾Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 弁

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AI study notes for 弁

Usage Notes

When using 弁, be mindful that it is a historical term and may not be suitable in modern contexts without proper explanation. Learners often mix it with similar-sounding words; focus on context to avoid confusion. It's typically used in more formal or literary settings.

HSK Study Tips

Though not included in HSK vocabulary lists, 弁 can be connected to HSK vocabulary related to clothing and historical terms. Students should focus on recognizing its historical significance and distinguishing it from more common terms for caps or hats.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 弁 with 便 (biàn), which means 'convenient' or 'toilet'. Remember that 弁 has a specific historical context, while 便 is more commonly used in daily life.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 弁

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Etymology of 弁

Formation typePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Memory hint

Two hands 廾 putting the cap 厶 on someone's head

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 弁?

Decomposition of 弁

IDS Structure⿱厶廾
弁Full character
=
厶mou3
top
廾gong3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 弁?

How to say (old) cap (garment) in Chinese

“(old) cap (garment)” in Chinese is弁biàn

The character 弁 (biàn) primarily refers to a conical cap historically worn during the Zhou dynasty, symbolizing status and rank. It can also denote a type of cap or represent a low-ranking military officer in ancient times. In contemporary usage, it may imply something that precedes or comes before.

When to use 弁

When using 弁, be mindful that it is a historical term and may not be suitable in modern contexts without proper explanation. Learners often mix it with similar-sounding words; focus on context to avoid confusion. It's typically used in more formal or literary settings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 弁 with 便 (biàn), which means 'convenient' or 'toilet'. Remember that 弁 has a specific historical context, while 便 is more commonly used in daily life.

Write 弁

弁

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

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Word Family of 弁

Words containing this character1
弁biànpreceding

Frequently asked questions about 弁

In modern Chinese, 弁 is not commonly used, but it can refer to an old type of cap or a low-ranking military officer from history.

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