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釆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
釆biànto distinguish; to pick, to gather, to collectx, 7 strokes, radical 釆
釆biànold variant of 辨[bian4]unknown, 7 strokes, radical 釆
biàn(bian4) T4
  1. 1to distinguish; to pick, to gather, to collect
  2. 2old variant of 辨[bian4]
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March 24, 2026

釆biàn(bian4)

The character 釆 (biàn) primarily means to distinguish or to gather. It is often used in contexts related to differentiating between objects or collecting items, especially in older texts. Its meaning can also be associated with the act of picking or selecting.

Strokes7Radical釆
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese practices, gathering herbs or plants is an important aspect of herbal medicine, which ties back to the meaning of this character. The act of picking and collecting is often celebrated in cultural festivals.

Memory Tip

Imagine a farmer (the radical 釆 looks like a hand) picking different fruits from a tree. Each fruit represents a different choice or distinction he is making. Remember 'biàn' sounds like 'ban,' as in 'banquet,' where you distinguish between various dishes.

Meanings of 釆

biàn(bian4)
1to distinguish; to pick, to gather, to collect
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 釆

釆Simplified
7Strokes
釆Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 釆

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Podcast: 釆

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AI Study Notes for 釆

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 釆 with 辨 (biàn), which means 'to differentiate' in a more abstract sense. It is not commonly used in modern language, so use it with caution in formal contexts. Be mindful of its tone, as it carries a fourth tone.

HSK Study Tips

While 釆 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to other words related to distinguishing and gathering. Focus on recognizing its form and historical usage, as it may appear in classical texts.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 釆 with similar characters like 采 (cǎi). For example, using 釆 in a sentence like '我去釆水果' (I go to pick fruit) is incorrect; the correct verb would be 采 (cǎi).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 釆

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Etymology of 釆

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a farming tool for sowing seeds.

Memory Hint

Rice 米 ready to be picked

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 釆

Pictograph of a farming tool for sowing seeds.

  1. 1The giveawayRice 米 ready to be picked
  2. 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 釆? 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 釆?

Decomposition of 釆

IDS Structure⿱丿米
釆Full Character
=
丿pie3
top
米Mi3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 釆?

How to say to distinguish; to pick, to gather, to collect in Chinese

“to distinguish; to pick, to gather, to collect” in Chinese is釆biàn

The character 釆 (biàn) primarily means to distinguish or to gather. It is often used in contexts related to differentiating between objects or collecting items, especially in older texts. Its meaning can also be associated with the act of picking or selecting.

When to use 釆

Learners often confuse 釆 with 辨 (biàn), which means 'to differentiate' in a more abstract sense. It is not commonly used in modern language, so use it with caution in formal contexts. Be mindful of its tone, as it carries a fourth tone.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 釆 with similar characters like 采 (cǎi). For example, using 釆 in a sentence like '我去釆水果' (I go to pick fruit) is incorrect; the correct verb would be 采 (cǎi).

Write 釆

釆

Practice writing 釆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 釆

Words Containing This Character1
釆biànto distinguish
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 釆 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 釆

No, 釆 is mostly found in classical texts and is not commonly used in everyday language.

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