HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 心, rank #13912, Hard
悲
bēi
sadness
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 心, rank #13912, Hard
悲
bēi
sorrow
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 心, rank #13912, Hard
悲
bēi
grief
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 心, rank #13912, Hard
悲
bēi
sorrow, sadness, grief; to be sorry
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical 心, rank #13912, Hard
bēi(bei1) T1
1sad
2sadness
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March 24, 2026
悲bēi(bei1)
The character 悲 (bēi) refers to feelings of sadness, sorrow, or grief. It is often used to describe emotional states related to loss or disappointment, and can convey a deep sense of mourning or regret. In literature and conversation, it may be employed to express empathy toward someone else's misfortune.
Strokes12Radical心Frequency#13912DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing 悲 (bēi) is often tied to rituals surrounding mourning and remembrance, highlighting the importance of honoring those who have passed away. The concept of '悲' is also present in traditional poetry and literature, reflecting on the transient nature of life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person with a sad face (the radical '心' meaning 'heart' is present in the character) who is shedding tears that flow down like waterfalls (the component '悲' can remind you of 'tearful waters'). Picture this person saying 'bēi' as they express their sorrow, linking the sound to the emotion.
Meanings of 悲
bēi(bei1)
1sad
2sadness
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 悲
悲Simplified
12Strokes
心Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13912Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 悲
Podcast: 悲
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AI Study Notes for 悲
Quick Contrast
痛 (tòng) refers to physical pain or deep emotional distress, while 悲 (bēi) specifically relates to feelings of sadness or sorrow.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person with a sad face (the radical '心' meaning 'heart' is present in the character) who is shedding tears that flow down like waterfalls (the component '悲' can remind you of 'tearful waters'). Picture this person saying 'bēi' as they express their sorrow, linking the sound to the emotion.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 悲 (bēi) with other words for sadness like 哀 (āi) or 伤心 (shāng xīn), which have slightly different connotations. 悲 is more formal and might be used in literary contexts, while 伤心 is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 悲 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to emotional vocabulary that students may encounter in higher levels. Focus on using it in sentences describing feelings to solidify its meaning and usage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing 悲 (bēi) is often tied to rituals surrounding mourning and remembrance, highlighting the importance of honoring those who have passed away. The concept of '悲' is also present in traditional poetry and literature, reflecting on the transient nature of life.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly use 悲 in informal contexts where 伤心 is more appropriate. For example, saying '我很悲' (Wǒ hěn bēi) sounds awkward; instead, use '我很伤心' (Wǒ hěn shāng xīn).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 悲
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Grammar Patterns of 悲
悲 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.
Nothing can prepare you for the shock and grief of widowhood.
8
那笔钱带来的只有伤心、痛苦和悲剧。
nà bǐ qián dài lái de zhī yǒu shāng xīn、 、 tòng kǔ hé bēi。
All that money brought nothing but sadness and misery and tragedy.
9
“但那是不会发生的。”她悲观地下了结论。
“ “ dàn nà shì bù huì fā shēng。” de 。” tā bēi guān dì xià le。
"But it'll not happen," she concluded pessimistically.
10
许多来看电影的人都被这部影片暴力而悲惨的结局所震惊。
xǔ duō lái kàn diàn yǐng de rén dū bèi zhè bù yǐng piàn bào lì ér bēi cǎn de jié jú suǒ zhèn jīng。
Many cinema-goers were stunned by the film's violent and tragic end.
Cultural Notes for 悲
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing 悲 (bēi) is often tied to rituals surrounding mourning and remembrance, highlighting the importance of honoring those who have passed away. The concept of '悲' is also present in traditional poetry and literature, reflecting on the transient nature of life.
Word Family of 悲
Compounds1
蕜
Words Containing This Character20
悲伤bēishāngsad悲傷
悲剧bēijùtragedy悲劇
悲bēisad
可悲kěbēilamentable
悲哀bēi’āigrieved
悲惨bēicǎnmiserable悲慘
悲痛bēitònggrieved
悲观bēiguānpessimistic悲觀
慈悲mercy
悲愤grief and indignation悲憤
悲壮solemn and stirring悲壯
悲凉sorrowful悲涼
伤悲sad傷悲
悲剧性tragic悲劇性
悲欢离合bēihuānlíhéjoys and sorrows悲歡離合
悲怆sorrow悲愴
徐悲鸿Xu Beihong (1895-1953), famous European trained painter and influential art teacher徐悲鴻
悲鸣lament悲鳴
悲天悯人to bemoan the state of the universe and pity the fate of mankind悲天憫人
悲叹to bewail悲嘆
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 悲伤 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 悲
In Chinese literature, 悲 (bēi) often appears in poetry and prose to evoke deep emotions. It can describe characters' feelings in tragic tales or be used to set a somber mood in a narrative.
Synonyms for 悲 (bēi) include 哀 (āi), which also means sorrow or grief, and 忧 (yōu), meaning worry or concern. Each word has its own nuances, so understanding context is important.
You can use 悲 (bēi) in sentences to describe feelings. For example, 悲伤的故事 (bēi shāng de gù shì) means 'a sad story'. It’s often paired with other words to convey deeper emotions.
悲 (bēi) means 'sadness' or 'sorrow' in Chinese. It is often used to express feelings of grief or melancholy. You might encounter this word in literature or conversations discussing emotional topics.
You can say '我感到悲伤' (Wǒ gǎndào bēi shāng) which means 'I feel sad'.
While it can be used, it's more common in literary or formal contexts; for everyday use, consider using 伤心 (shāng xīn) instead.
