Meanings of 贝
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About 贝
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Podcast: 贝
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AI study notes for 贝
贝 (bèi) is often used in informal contexts related to money or wealth, but can also appear in formal discussions about economics. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; be mindful of tone as 'bèi' (fourth tone) can alter meaning significantly.
While 贝 (bèi) is not currently in the HSK list, it connects to vocabulary related to money and economics. Students should focus on its usage in financial contexts and as part of compound words like '人民币' (rénmínbì, Chinese currency).
Learners often confuse 贝 (bèi) with similar characters, leading to mispronunciation or incorrect usage. For example, saying 'bai' instead of 'bèi' can change the meaning entirely. Remember: 贝 is pronounced with a falling tone (bèi).
Pronunciation of 贝
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Learning Lab
Knowing 贝 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 贝
Simplified form of 貝. Pictograph of a cowrie shell. In ancient China such shells were used as currency.
A sea shell, once used as currency
Origin
What kind of character is 贝?
Decomposition of 贝
Parts
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How to say cowrie in Chinese
“cowrie” in Chinese is贝
The character 贝 (bèi) primarily refers to shellfish and cowrie shells, which were historically used as currency in ancient China. It also serves as a surname, 'Bei'. In modern contexts, it symbolizes wealth or money due to its association with currency.
When to use 贝
贝 (bèi) is often used in informal contexts related to money or wealth, but can also appear in formal discussions about economics. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; be mindful of tone as 'bèi' (fourth tone) can alter meaning significantly.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 贝 (bèi) with similar characters, leading to mispronunciation or incorrect usage. For example, saying 'bai' instead of 'bèi' can change the meaning entirely. Remember: 贝 is pronounced with a falling tone (bèi).
Write 贝
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Practice writing 贝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 贝
贝 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Fill the gap
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坎____尔公司的总裁退休后，麦戈文被选定为继任者。
When the chairman of Campbell's retired, McGovern was named as his successor.
Common confusions with 贝
Simplified form of the traditional character 貝
Which one
Which one means “cowrie”?
Example sentences for 贝 (10)
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Word Family of 贝
Characters with 贝
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Frequently asked questions about 贝
In ancient China, 贝 (bèi) referred to cowrie shells, which were used as a form of currency. This practice highlights the importance of shellfish in trade and economy during that period. Cowrie shells were one of the earliest types of money used in various cultures.
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