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蓽 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
蓽bìa kind of bean; Piper longtumx, 14 strokes, radical 艹
bì(bi4) T4
  1. 1a kind of bean; Piper longtum
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

蓽bì(bi4)

The character 蓽 (bì) refers to a type of bean, specifically associated with Piper longtum, a plant known for its culinary and medicinal uses. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in specific contexts related to botany or traditional Chinese medicine.

Strokes14Radical艹
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, various plants and beans, including those like 蓽, are valued for their unique properties and roles in health and wellness, reflecting the deep connection between nature and health in Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'bean' growing in a 'bush' (the radical '艹' meaning plant). Visualize a chef using these special beans in a dish, which helps you remember that 蓽 sounds like 'bì' and relates to plants and food.

Meanings of 蓽

bì(bi4)
1a kind of bean; Piper longtum
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蓽

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

Podcast: 蓽

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Podcast: 蓽

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 蓽

Usage Notes

This character is rarely used in casual conversation, which may lead learners to misuse it in everyday contexts. It is more appropriate in formal discussions about plants or in academic texts. Be careful with the tones; 'bì' should not be confused with similar-sounding words in Mandarin.

HSK Study Tips

Although 蓽 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it expands learners' understanding of specialized terminology. Focus on the context in which such botanical terms might appear, often in advanced texts or discussions about agriculture and herbal medicine.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 蓽 with similar characters or mispronounce it, such as saying 'bǐ' instead of 'bì'. Another mistake is using it in informal contexts where it does not fit, like trying to order food at a restaurant.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蓽

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Etymology of 蓽

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

Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 毕 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蓽.

Memory Hint

plant

Semantic (meaning)艹
+
Phonetic (sound)畢
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 蓽

Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 毕 represents the sound. Simplified form of 蓽.

  1. 1The meaning half艹 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half畢 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayplant
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 蓽? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 蓽?

Decomposition of 蓽

IDS Structure⿱艹畢
蓽Full Character
=
艹cao3
top
畢bi4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蓽?

How to say a kind of bean; Piper longtum in Chinese

“a kind of bean; Piper longtum” in Chinese is蓽bì

The character 蓽 (bì) refers to a type of bean, specifically associated with Piper longtum, a plant known for its culinary and medicinal uses. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in specific contexts related to botany or traditional Chinese medicine.

When to use 蓽

This character is rarely used in casual conversation, which may lead learners to misuse it in everyday contexts. It is more appropriate in formal discussions about plants or in academic texts. Be careful with the tones; 'bì' should not be confused with similar-sounding words in Mandarin.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 蓽 with similar characters or mispronounce it, such as saying 'bǐ' instead of 'bì'. Another mistake is using it in informal contexts where it does not fit, like trying to order food at a restaurant.

Write 蓽

蓽

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

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Word Family of 蓽

Words Containing This Character3
蓬荜生辉see also 蓬蓽生光|蓬荜生光[péng​bì​shēng​guāng]蓬蓽生輝
荜bìbean蓽
蓬门荜户humble home蓬門蓽戶
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 蓬荜生辉 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蓽

蓽 is primarily used in the context of traditional Chinese medicine and culinary practices involving specific beans.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 蓽?

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.