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賁 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
to forge ahead; energetic; surnamezg, 12 strokes, radical 貝, Very Hard
(bi4) T4
  1. 1to forge ahead; energetic; surname
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
(bi4)

The character 賁 (bì) conveys the idea of forging ahead with vigor and energy. It can also refer to a surname in Chinese culture. Commonly used in contexts that emphasize enthusiasm, drive, or determination, it may also appear in literary or formal settings.

Strokes12RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the character 賁 can be associated with themes of perseverance and ambition, reflecting the traditional value placed on hard work and determination. It is also a relatively rare surname, which connects it to familial heritage.

Memory Tip

Imagine a strong figure (the character 賁) breaking through barriers with energy, like a bull charging forward. The top part resembles a roof, symbolizing shelter, while the bottom part represents the act of moving forward, connecting to the idea of forging ahead.

Meanings of 賁

(bi4)
1to forge ahead; energetic; surname
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 賁

Simplified
12Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 賁

JasonAmy

Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 賁

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a strong figure (the character 賁) breaking through barriers with energy, like a bull charging forward. The top part resembles a roof, symbolizing shelter, while the bottom part represents the act of moving forward, connecting to the idea of forging ahead.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 賁 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings, so it's important to pay attention to pronunciation and tone. This character is more formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation, making it suitable for literature or formal writing.

HSK Study Tips

This character is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, but understanding it can enhance your comprehension of more advanced texts. Focus on the radicals and components to help remember its meaning and pronunciation, as they may relate to other characters you learn at higher levels.

Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the character 賁 can be associated with themes of perseverance and ambition, reflecting the traditional value placed on hard work and determination. It is also a relatively rare surname, which connects it to familial heritage.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 賁 as 'bi' instead of the correct 'bì'. Another common mistake is using it in casual contexts where more common terms for energy or enthusiasm would be appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 賁

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Etymology of 賁

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

myriads

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 賁?

Decomposition of 賁

IDS Structure⿱卉貝
Full Character
=
hui4
top
bei4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 賁?

Write 賁

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

Cultural Notes for 賁

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese history, the character 賁 can be associated with themes of perseverance and ambition, reflecting the traditional value placed on hard work and determination. It is also a relatively rare surname, which connects it to familial heritage.

Word Family of 賁

Words Containing This Character2
bēnsurname Ben
贲门cardia (anatomy)賁門
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 贲 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 賁

It's not commonly used in daily conversation but is more relevant in literary contexts.