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March 24, 2026
跸(蹕)bì(bi4)
The character 跸 (bì) means to clear the way, particularly in the context of making way for an emperor or during an imperial procession. It is used to describe the act of removing obstacles or crowds to facilitate the passage of someone of high status, reflecting the hierarchical nature of traditional Chinese society.
Strokes13Radical足Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the act of clearing the way was not just a matter of logistics but also a demonstration of respect and status, reflecting the emperor's supreme authority. This practice is evident in historical texts and rituals associated with imperial ceremonies.
Memory Tip
Imagine a royal procession where officials wave large flags to clear the path for the emperor. The character 跸 contains the radical 辶 (walking) which suggests movement, and it phonetically resembles 'bee,' buzzing around to create a clear path. Visualize bees flying in formation to clear a way through flowers.
Meanings of 跸
bì(bi4)
1to clear the way; to make way for the emperor
2to clear streets when emperor tours
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 跸
跸Simplified
蹕Traditional
13Strokes
足Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 跸
Podcast: 跸
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AI Study Notes for 跸
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a royal procession where officials wave large flags to clear the path for the emperor. The character 跸 contains the radical 辶 (walking) which suggests movement, and it phonetically resembles 'bee,' buzzing around to create a clear path. Visualize bees flying in formation to clear a way through flowers.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 跸 with similar-sounding words, as it specifically relates to imperial contexts. It is formal and rarely used in everyday conversation. Common collocations include '清道' (clear the way) and '御驾' (imperial carriage).
HSK Study Tips
While 跸 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with themes of traditional authority and respect seen in other HSK Level 5 words. Students should focus on understanding the nuances of formality in language and how words relate to cultural hierarchy.
Cultural Note
In ancient China, the act of clearing the way was not just a matter of logistics but also a demonstration of respect and status, reflecting the emperor's supreme authority. This practice is evident in historical texts and rituals associated with imperial ceremonies.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 跸 in casual contexts, thinking it applies to any situation requiring a path to be cleared. A correction would be to use simpler terms like '让路' (make way) in everyday conversations.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 跸
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Cultural Notes for 跸
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient China, the act of clearing the way was not just a matter of logistics but also a demonstration of respect and status, reflecting the emperor's supreme authority. This practice is evident in historical texts and rituals associated with imperial ceremonies.
Word Family of 跸
Words Containing This Character1
跸bìto clear streets when emperor tours蹕
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 跸 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 跸
No, 跸 is mainly used in historical or literary contexts related to emperors and is not common in everyday conversation.
It is pronounced as 'bì', with a falling tone.
No, 跸 is a formal term and should be reserved for discussions related to history or culture.