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辈 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
辈
bèi
contemporaries
HSK 5, n, 12 strokes, radical 非, rank #11795, Hard
辈
bèi
generation
HSK 5, n, 12 strokes, radical 非, rank #11795, Hard
辈
bèi
lifetime
HSK 5, n, 12 strokes, radical 非, rank #11795, Hard
辈
bèi
generation, lifetime; contemporary
HSK 5, n, 12 strokes, radical 非, rank #11795, Hard
辈
bèi
group of people
HSK 5, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 非, rank #11795, Hard
辈
bèi
class
HSK 5, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 非, rank #11795, Hard
辈
bèi
classifier for generations
HSK 5, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 非, rank #11795, Hard
辈
bèi
(literary) classifier for people
HSK 5, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 非, rank #11795, Hard
bèi(bei4)bei T4
1contemporaries
2generation
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March 24, 2026
辈(輩)bèi(bei4)
The character 辈 (bèi) refers to a group of contemporaries or a generation of people sharing a common time period. It can also denote the concept of lifetime, indicating the span of existence for a group or class of individuals. This term is often used in discussions about family lineage and social hierarchies.
Strokes12Radical非Frequency#11795DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of generation (辈) is significant, especially in family discussions, as it reflects respect for elders and the importance of ancestry. Terms like '辈分' (bèi fèn, generational rank) are crucial in family hierarchies.
Memory tip
Imagine a group of people (辈) standing together, each representing different generations. The left part, 辶, looks like a path, symbolizing their journey through life together, while the right part, 北, sounds like 'bèi,' reminding you of how they are all 'together' in one generation.
Meanings of 辈
bèi(bei4)
1contemporaries
2generation
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
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About 辈
辈Simplified
輩Traditional
12Strokes
非Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#11795Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 辈
Podcast: 辈
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AI study notes for 辈
Quick Contrast
同辈 (tóng bèi) refers specifically to peers or contemporaries within the same generation, while 辈 (bèi) has a broader meaning that can encompass multiple generations.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context when using 辈, as it can refer to both familial generations and broader social groups. It's common to use this character in phrases like '同辈' (tóng bèi) meaning 'same generation.' Avoid mixing it with other unrelated terms to keep the meaning clear.
HSK Study Tips
Although 辈 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects well with other words related to family and generation, such as 家 (jiā, family) and 世代 (shì dài, generations). Focus on its usage in context to understand its nuances better.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 辈 with similar-sounding characters like 背 (bèi, back) due to pronunciation. For example, saying '我对背很感兴趣' instead of '我对辈很感兴趣' could lead to misunderstanding, as they mean very different things.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 辈
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辈 = 车 + 非. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 辈
IDS Structure⿱非车
辈Full character
=
非Fei1
top
车Che1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 辈?
How to say contemporaries in Chinese
“contemporaries” in Chinese is辈bèi
The character 辈 (bèi) refers to a group of contemporaries or a generation of people sharing a common time period. It can also denote the concept of lifetime, indicating the span of existence for a group or class of individuals. This term is often used in discussions about family lineage and social hierarchies.
When to use 辈
Be mindful of the context when using 辈, as it can refer to both familial generations and broader social groups. It's common to use this character in phrases like '同辈' (tóng bèi) meaning 'same generation.' Avoid mixing it with other unrelated terms to keep the meaning clear.
辈 or something close to it
同辈 (tóng bèi) refers specifically to peers or contemporaries within the same generation, while 辈 (bèi) has a broader meaning that can encompass multiple generations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 辈 with similar-sounding characters like 背 (bèi, back) due to pronunciation. For example, saying '我对背很感兴趣' instead of '我对辈很感兴趣' could lead to misunderstanding, as they mean very different things.
Write 辈
辈
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Grammar patterns of 辈
辈 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 8 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.
The children in our family are always respectful to their elders.
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Word Family of 辈
Words containing this character20
一辈子yíbèizi(for) a lifetime一輩子
辈子bèizilifetime輩子
前辈qiánbèisenior前輩
辈bèilifetime輩
半辈子bànbèizihalf of a lifetime半輩子
下辈子xiàbèizithe next life下輩子
长辈zhǎngbèione's elders長輩
晚辈wǎnbèithe younger generation晚輩
上辈子shàngbèizione's ancestors上輩子
老一辈lǎoyíbèiprevious generation老一輩
父辈fùbèipeople of one's parents' generation父輩
先辈xiānbèielders先輩
后辈hòubèiyounger generation後輩
辈出bèichūto come forth in large numbers輩出
小辈xiǎobèithe younger generation小輩
祖辈zǔbèiancestors祖輩
鼠辈shǔbèia scoundrel鼠輩
同辈tóngbèipeer同輩
祖祖辈辈zǔzǔbèibèifor generations祖祖輩輩
辈分bèifenseniority in the family or clan輩分
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 辈
What does 一辈子 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 辈
In Chinese culture, 辈 (bèi) is often used to discuss family lineage and respect for ancestors. For instance, phrases like '辈分' (bèifen) refer to the generational hierarchy within a family. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping cultural values related to family and respect.
Yes, 辈 (bèi) is quite commonly used in everyday conversations, especially when discussing family relationships or generational differences. It helps convey respect and recognition of one's elders and ancestors, which is an important aspect of Chinese culture.
辈 (bèi) refers to a generation or a class of people in Chinese. It can indicate a lifetime or the group of individuals belonging to the same generation. Additionally, it is used as a classifier for generations in a literary context.
You can use 辈 (bèi) to refer to a group of people from the same generation, for example, '我们这一辈人都喜欢音乐' (Wǒmen zhè yī bèi rén dōu xǐhuān yīnyuè) meaning 'People of our generation all love music.' It can also be used to express respect for one's elders, such as referring to '长辈' (zhǎng bèi) which means 'elders' or 'senior generation.'
In family contexts, 辈 refers to the generational rank or the contemporaries within a family, helping to define relationships among relatives.
You can use 辈 in sentences like '我们这一辈人' (wǒmen zhè yī bèi rén) meaning 'our generation of people'.
辈 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing family or social groups.
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