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钡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
钡bèibariumn, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #42825, Very Hard
钡bèibarium (chemistry)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 钅, rank #42825, Very Hard
bèi(bei4) T4
  1. 1barium
  2. 2barium (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

钡(鋇)bèi(bei4)

钡 (bèi) refers to the chemical element barium, a soft, silvery-white metal that is part of the alkaline earth metals group. It is commonly used in various industrial applications, including the manufacturing of glass and ceramics, as well as in medical imaging as a contrast agent for X-rays.

Strokes9Radical钅Frequency#42825DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese medicine, barium is not traditionally emphasized, but its use in modern medical imaging reflects the blend of ancient practices with contemporary science in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'b' for barium, surrounded by 'eight' (the number 8) because barium's atomic number is 56, which is 8 doubled. The character 钡 features the radical 钅 (metal), hinting at its metallic properties and chemical nature.

Meanings of 钡

bèi(bei4)
1barium
2barium (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 钡

钡Simplified
鋇Traditional
9Strokes
钅Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 钡

JasonAmy

Podcast: 钡

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 钡

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. It's typically used in scientific contexts, so it's less common in everyday conversation. It's important to pair it with terms like '元素' (element) or '化合物' (compound) for clarity.

HSK Study Tips

Although 钡 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be beneficial for learners interested in chemistry or related fields. Understanding this word can connect students to other elements and compounds, enhancing their scientific vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 钡 with similar-sounding characters like 背 (bèi), which means 'back.' Always remember that 钡 is associated with metals and chemistry, while 背 relates to body parts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 钡

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Etymology of 钡

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 贝 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鋇.

Memory Hint

metal

Semantic (meaning)钅
+
Phonetic (sound)贝
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 钡

Phonosemantic compound. 钅 represents the meaning and 贝 represents the sound. Simplified form of 鋇.

  1. 1The meaning half钅 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half贝 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaymetal
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 钡? 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 钡?

Decomposition of 钡

IDS Structure⿰钅贝
钡Full Character
=
钅jin1
left
贝Bei4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 钡?

How to say barium in Chinese

“barium” in Chinese is钡bèi

钡 (bèi) refers to the chemical element barium, a soft, silvery-white metal that is part of the alkaline earth metals group. It is commonly used in various industrial applications, including the manufacturing of glass and ceramics, as well as in medical imaging as a contrast agent for X-rays.

When to use 钡

Be cautious with the pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. It's typically used in scientific contexts, so it's less common in everyday conversation. It's important to pair it with terms like '元素' (element) or '化合物' (compound) for clarity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 钡 with similar-sounding characters like 背 (bèi), which means 'back.' Always remember that 钡 is associated with metals and chemistry, while 背 relates to body parts.

Write 钡

钡

Practice writing 钡 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 钡

钡 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 2 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

普通的陶瓷元件分别是钛酸____和锆钛酸铅.

Common ceramic elements are barium titanate and lead zirconate - titanate.

Example Sentences for 钡 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
普通的陶瓷元件分别是钛酸钡和锆钛酸铅.

pǔ tōng de táo cí yuán jiàn fēn bié shì tài suān bèi hé gào tài suān qiān.

Common ceramic elements are barium titanate and lead zirconate - titanate.

Word Family of 钡

Words Containing This Character1
钡bèibarium (chemistry)鋇
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 钡 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 钡

Barium is significant due to its use in various applications, such as in X-ray imaging and producing glass, showcasing its importance in both industry and medicine.

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