HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #23753, Very Hard
贬
biǎn
to demote
HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #23753, Very Hard
贬
biǎn
to reduce or devaluate
HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #23753, Very Hard
贬
biǎn
to disparage
HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #23753, Very Hard
贬
biǎn
to censure
HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #23753, Very Hard
贬
biǎn
to depreciate
HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #23753, Very Hard
贬
biǎn
to devalue, to demote; to criticize, to censure
HSK 7, v, 8 strokes, radical 贝, rank #23753, Very Hard
biǎn(bian3) T3
1to diminish
2to demote
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
贬(貶)biǎn(bian3)
The character 贬 (biǎn) primarily means to diminish, reduce, or devalue something, often in a negative context. It can refer to demoting someone in rank or status, disparaging someone's qualities, or criticizing a concept or idea. It is commonly used in discussions about performance evaluations, social status, or value judgments.
Strokes8Radical贝Frequency#23753DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, criticism can be subtle and indirect, often using 贬 in a way that reflects social hierarchy and respect. Understanding how to use this word appropriately is crucial in maintaining relationships during discussions about performance or behavior.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person being 'banished' (sounds like 'biǎn') from a higher position to a lower one, representing the act of diminishing their status. The character consists of the radical for 'money' (贞) suggesting value, combined with 'to speak' (言), emphasizing the communication involved in criticism.
Meanings of 贬
biǎn(bian3)
1to diminish
2to demote
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 贬
贬Simplified
貶Traditional
8Strokes
贝Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#23753Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 贬
Podcast: 贬
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 贬
Quick Contrast
贬 (biǎn) vs 轻 (qīng) — use 贬 to emphasize a negative evaluation or devaluation, while 轻 refers to something being light or less serious.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 贬, as it carries a negative connotation and can be seen as harsh or disrespectful. It is commonly used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about work or academic evaluations. A common collocation is 贬低 (biǎndī), meaning to belittle or disparage.
HSK Study Tips
Although 贬 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is related to HSK Level 5 words about evaluation and judgment. Students should focus on its usage in formal contexts and understand how it contrasts with positive terms like 提升 (tíshēng) which means to promote.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 贬 with 提升 (tíshēng), mistakenly using 贬 when they mean to promote someone. For example, saying '我想贬他' (wǒ xiǎng biǎn tā) instead of '我想提升他' (wǒ xiǎng tíshēng tā) would incorrectly imply a desire to demote rather than promote.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 贬
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 贬 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 贬? 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 贬?
Decomposition of 贬
IDS Structure⿰贝乏
贬Full Character
=
贝Bei4
left
乏fa2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 贬?
How to say to diminish in Chinese
“to diminish” in Chinese is贬biǎn
The character 贬 (biǎn) primarily means to diminish, reduce, or devalue something, often in a negative context. It can refer to demoting someone in rank or status, disparaging someone's qualities, or criticizing a concept or idea. It is commonly used in discussions about performance evaluations, social status, or value judgments.
When to use 贬
Be cautious when using 贬, as it carries a negative connotation and can be seen as harsh or disrespectful. It is commonly used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about work or academic evaluations. A common collocation is 贬低 (biǎndī), meaning to belittle or disparage.
贬 or something close to it
贬 (biǎn) vs 轻 (qīng) — use 贬 to emphasize a negative evaluation or devaluation, while 轻 refers to something being light or less serious.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 贬 with 提升 (tíshēng), mistakenly using 贬 when they mean to promote someone. For example, saying '我想贬他' (wǒ xiǎng biǎn tā) instead of '我想提升他' (wǒ xiǎng tíshēng tā) would incorrectly imply a desire to demote rather than promote.
Write 贬
贬
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 贬 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 贬
贬 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 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.
