Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
彆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
彆bièawkwardx, 14 strokes, radical 弓
biè(bie4)bie T4
  1. 1awkward
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

彆biè(bie4)

The character 彆 (biè) conveys the idea of something being awkward or difficult to manage. It is often used in contexts where a situation feels uncomfortable or when there is a sense of clumsiness in actions or interactions.

Strokes14Radical弓
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, being awkward can be seen as a social faux pas, especially in formal gatherings, where smooth interactions are valued highly. This character captures the essence of discomfort in social situations.

Memory tip

Imagine a person trying to fit a square peg into a round hole - it’s an awkward situation. The character 彆 looks like a person bending uncomfortably, emphasizing the clumsy and awkward feelings it describes.

Meanings of 彆

biè(bie4)
1awkward
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 彆 means.

About 彆

彆Simplified
14Strokes
弓Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 彆

JasonAmy

Podcast: 彆

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 彆

Usage Notes

彆 is generally used in informal contexts. Learners often confuse it with similar-sounding words like 别 (bié), which means 'don't'. Pay attention to the tone and context to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

Although 彆 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can help deepen understanding of more complex emotional states. Focus on its use in sentences to see how it interacts with other common adjectives.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 彆 with 别 due to their similar pronunciations. For example, saying '不要彆' instead of '不要别' can lead to confusion; the correct phrase for 'don't' is 别.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 彆

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 彆, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 彆 to you

Let me explain 彆 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 彆 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 彆?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 彆 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 彆

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 別. Pictograph depicting cutting meat off of a bone.

Memory hint

curved

Semantic (meaning)弓
+
Phonetic (sound)敝
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

彆 = 弓 + 敝. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 彆

IDS Structure⿱敝弓
彆Full character
=
敝bi4
top
弓Gong1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 彆?

How to say awkward in Chinese

“awkward” in Chinese is彆biè

The character 彆 (biè) conveys the idea of something being awkward or difficult to manage. It is often used in contexts where a situation feels uncomfortable or when there is a sense of clumsiness in actions or interactions.

When to use 彆

彆 is generally used in informal contexts. Learners often confuse it with similar-sounding words like 别 (bié), which means 'don't'. Pay attention to the tone and context to avoid misunderstandings.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 彆 with 别 due to their similar pronunciations. For example, saying '不要彆' instead of '不要别' can lead to confusion; the correct phrase for 'don't' is 别.

Write 彆

彆

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 彆?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Word Family of 彆

Words containing this character20
别biéto leave別
别人biérénothers別人
特别tèbiéespecially特別
分别fēnbiéto distinguish分別
别的biédeelse別的
区别qūbiédifference區別
别墅biéshùvilla別墅
个别gèbiéindividual個別
级别jíbiélevel級別
差别chābiédifference差別
告别gàobiéto leave告別
识别shíbiéto distinguish識別
性别xìngbiégender性別
别无选择biéwúxuǎnzéto have no other choice別無選擇
鉴别jiànbiéto differentiate鑑別
类别lèibiécategory類別
别处biéchùelsewhere別處
辨别biànbiéto differentiate辨別
道别dàobiéleave taking道別
离别líbiéto part from sb離別
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 彆

What does 别 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 彆

彆 is used to describe situations that are uncomfortable or awkward, often in social interactions.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 彆?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab