HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #23483, Very Hard
碑
bēi
an upright stone tablet
HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #23483, Very Hard
碑
bēi
stele
HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #23483, Very Hard
碑
bēi
>块[kuài],面[miàn]
HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #23483, Very Hard
碑
bēi
stone tablet; gravestone
HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #23483, Very Hard
bēi(bei1) T1
1a monument
2an upright stone tablet
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
碑bēi(bei1)
The character 碑 (bēi) refers to a monument or an upright stone tablet, often inscribed with text. Commonly found in historical contexts, it serves as a memorial or a way to commemorate significant events or figures in Chinese history.
Strokes13Radical石Frequency#23483DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, stele inscriptions are significant, often used to honor ancestors or document important events in a community's history. The practice of erecting steles dates back thousands of years and continues to be a way to preserve cultural memory.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large, flat stone (the radical 石, meaning 'stone') standing upright in a park, much like a giant book that tells the story of a great hero. The sound 'bēi' can be associated with the English word 'bay,' where you might find a historical monument by the water.
Meanings of 碑
bēi(bei1)
1a monument
2an upright stone tablet
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 碑
碑Simplified
13Strokes
石Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#23483Frequency Rank
块Measure Word
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 碑
Podcast: 碑
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AI Study Notes for 碑
Quick Contrast
碑 (bēi) vs 牌 (pái) — use 碑 for stone tablets or monuments, while 牌 refers to signs or plaques.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large, flat stone (the radical 石, meaning 'stone') standing upright in a park, much like a giant book that tells the story of a great hero. The sound 'bēi' can be associated with the English word 'bay,' where you might find a historical monument by the water.
Usage Notes
This term is often used in formal contexts, like literature or historical discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with other similar characters for tablets or stones, such as 石 (shí) or碑文 (bēiwén, meaning 'inscription on a stele'). Pay attention to the tone; 'bēi' has a high level tone, which is crucial for clarity.
HSK Study Tips
Although 碑 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects to vocabulary related to history and memorials, often studied alongside terms like 纪念 (jìniàn, 'commemorate') or 墓 (mù, 'grave'). Focus on understanding its context in historical literature.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, stele inscriptions are significant, often used to honor ancestors or document important events in a community's history. The practice of erecting steles dates back thousands of years and continues to be a way to preserve cultural memory.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misplace the tone, saying 'bei' instead of 'bēi', which alters the meaning. Another common error is using 碑 in casual conversation, where simpler terms might be more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 碑
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Grammar Patterns of 碑
碑 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.
The inscription reads: Here lies Catin, the son of Magarus.
8
他在大理石上刻碑文.
tā zài dà lǐ shí shàng kè bēi wén.
He chiselled an inscription on the marble.
9
碑文已深深地刻在石头上.
bēi wén yǐ shēn shēn dì kè zài shí tóu shàng.
The inscription is deeply cut on the stone.
10
她和马克读了刻在纪念碑内墙上的文字。
tā hé mǎ kè dú le kè zài jì niàn bēi nèi qiáng shàng de wén zì。
She and Mark read the words inscribed on the inner walls of the monument.
Cultural Notes for 碑
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, stele inscriptions are significant, often used to honor ancestors or document important events in a community's history. The practice of erecting steles dates back thousands of years and continues to be a way to preserve cultural memory.
Word Family of 碑
Words Containing This Character20
墓碑mùbēigravestone
纪念碑jìniànbēimonument紀念碑
碑bēistele
口碑kǒubēipublic praise
里程碑lǐchéngbēimilestone
石碑stele
碑文inscription on a tablet
丰碑large inscribed stele豐碑
碑林Forest of Steles (museum in Xi'an)
有口皆碑every voice gives praise (idiom); with an extensive public reputation
界碑boundary stone
碑铭inscription on stone tablet碑銘
碑刻inscription on stone tablet
口碑载道universal approbation口碑載道
碑林区Beilin District of Xi’an 西安市[Xī'ānShì], Shaanxi碑林區
碑亭pavilion housing a stele
碑记a record of events inscribed on a tablet碑記
高碑店Gaobeidian county level city in Baoding 保定[Bǎodìng], Hebei
碑帖a rubbing from a stone inscription
树碑立传to monumentalize樹碑立傳
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 墓碑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 碑
石碑 (shíbēi) specifically refers to a stone tablet, while 碑 (bēi) can denote any type of monument, including stone tablets.
Yes, 碑 can refer to modern monuments as well, although it is more commonly associated with historical ones.
