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悖 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
bèicontradictory; counter tovg, 10 strokes, radical 忄, rank #29500, Very Hard
bèito go againstunknown, 10 strokes, radical 忄, rank #29500, Very Hard
bèito be contrary tounknown, 10 strokes, radical 忄, rank #29500, Very Hard
bèiperverseunknown, 10 strokes, radical 忄, rank #29500, Very Hard
bèirebelliousunknown, 10 strokes, radical 忄, rank #29500, Very Hard
bèi(bei4) T4
  1. 1contradictory; counter to
  2. 2to go against
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
bèi(bei4)

The character 悖 (bèi) describes a state of contradiction or opposition, often implying a sense of going against established norms or expectations. It can refer to ideas, actions, or behaviors that are contrary to what is perceived as correct or acceptable. Commonly used in philosophical or critical discussions, it carries a tone of disapproval or rebellion.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#29500DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The notion of 'going against' is significant in Chinese philosophy, particularly in discussions about harmony and societal norms. The term often appears in debates about moral conduct, highlighting the value placed on conformity and the consequences of rebellion.

Memory Tip

Imagine a rebellious student (the character's shape) standing defiantly against a teacher (the meaning of 'going against'). The radical '忄' (heart) hints at emotional conflict, while the right side represents a break from tradition, making 'bèi' sound like 'bay'—a rebellious bay that won’t follow the tides.

Meanings of 悖

bèi(bei4)
1contradictory; counter to
2to go against
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 悖

Simplified
10Strokes
Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 悖

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AI Study Notes for 悖

Quick Contrast

悖 (bèi) vs 违 (wéi) — use 悖 for contradictions in ideas or principles, while 违 is more about violating rules or laws.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a rebellious student (the character's shape) standing defiantly against a teacher (the meaning of 'going against'). The radical '忄' (heart) hints at emotional conflict, while the right side represents a break from tradition, making 'bèi' sound like 'bay'—a rebellious bay that won’t follow the tides.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 悖, as it can carry strong negative connotations in formal contexts. It is commonly found in academic or philosophical discussions, but using it in casual conversation may be seen as overly dramatic. Ensure correct tone pronunciation to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Though not part of the HSK vocabulary, 悖 connects with higher-level words related to contradiction or conflict. Students at this level should focus on understanding its usage in complex sentences and philosophical texts to deepen their comprehension of nuanced language.

Cultural Note

The notion of 'going against' is significant in Chinese philosophy, particularly in discussions about harmony and societal norms. The term often appears in debates about moral conduct, highlighting the value placed on conformity and the consequences of rebellion.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 悖 with similar-sounding characters like 窃 (qiè, to steal), leading to sentences that completely change in meaning. For example, using 悖 in place of 窃 in '他窃取了我的想法' (He stole my ideas) would incorrectly imply he contradicted my ideas.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 悖

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Etymology of 悖

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

heart

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 悖?

Decomposition of 悖

IDS Structure⿰忄孛
Full Character
=
xin1
left
bei4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 悖?

Write 悖

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 悖

悖 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 5 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.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

他说这个决定有____天理。

He said that the decision flew in the face of natural justice.

Example Sentences for 悖 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他说这个决定有悖天理。

tā shuō zhè gè jué dìng yǒu bèi tiān lǐ。

He said that the decision flew in the face of natural justice.

Cultural Notes for 悖

🏮Cultural insight

The notion of 'going against' is significant in Chinese philosophy, particularly in discussions about harmony and societal norms. The term often appears in debates about moral conduct, highlighting the value placed on conformity and the consequences of rebellion.

Word Family of 悖

Words Containing This Character6
bèiperverse
悖论paradox (logic)悖論
有悖于to go against有悖於
并行不悖not mutually exclusive並行不悖
悖逆contrary
悖谬absurd悖謬
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 悖 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 悖

Some synonyms include 反对 (fǎnduì, oppose) and 冲突 (chōngtū, conflict), which share similar meanings but may differ in context.