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霸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
霸
bà
tyrant; to usurp, to rule by might
n, 21 strokes, radical 雨, rank #10385, Very Hard
霸
bà
lord
unknown, 21 strokes, radical 雨, rank #10385, Very Hard
霸
bà
feudal chief
unknown, 21 strokes, radical 雨, rank #10385, Very Hard
霸
bà
to rule by force
unknown, 21 strokes, radical 雨, rank #10385, Very Hard
霸
bà
(in modern advertising) master
unknown, 21 strokes, radical 雨, rank #10385, Very Hard
bà(ba4)ba T4
1tyrant; to usurp, to rule by might
2feudal chief
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March 24, 2026
霸(覇)bà(ba4)
The character 霸 (bà) refers to a tyrant or someone who rules by might, often usurping power. It can be used in various contexts, including historical references to feudal lords or in modern usage to denote a dominant figure in advertising or business. The nuance often implies a negative connotation of oppression or authoritarianism.
Strokes21Radical雨Frequency#10385DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese history, the concept of 霸 has been significant, particularly during the Warring States period when various states vied for dominance. The term reflects the historical struggle for power and the perception of rulers as tyrants or benevolent leaders.
Memory tip
Imagine a powerful king sitting on a throne, surrounded by symbols of might like swords and shields — this represents 霸 (bà). The character's shape resembles a ruler imposing their will, and the pronunciation 'bà' can be remembered as 'bad king' to emphasize the tyrannical aspect.
Meanings of 霸
bà(ba4)
1tyrant; to usurp, to rule by might
2lord
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 霸
霸Simplified
覇Traditional
21Strokes
雨Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#10385Frequency Rank
Podcast: 霸
Podcast: 霸
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AI study notes for 霸
Quick Contrast
霸 (bà) vs 强 (qiáng) — choose 霸 when emphasizing tyrannical power, while 强 focuses on strength or capability without the oppressive connotation.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 霸 (bà) in conversation, as it has strong negative connotations. It's more appropriate in formal contexts or discussions about history and power dynamics. Common collocations include 霸权 (bàquán, hegemony) and 霸道 (bàdào, tyrannical).
HSK Study Tips
Although 霸 is not listed in the HSK levels, it connects with words like 权 (quán, power) and 势 (shì, force), which are crucial for expressing authority and influence. Focus on understanding its negative implications and how it interacts with other words related to power.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 霸 (bà) with other words for authority like 权 (quán), which is more neutral. For example, saying '他是一个霸权' (Tā shì yīgè bàquán) can be misleading; instead, say '他是一个霸主' (Tā shì yīgè bàzhǔ) to clarify it refers to a tyrant.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 霸
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How to say tyrant; to usurp, to rule by might in Chinese
“tyrant; to usurp, to rule by might” in Chinese is霸bà
The character 霸 (bà) refers to a tyrant or someone who rules by might, often usurping power. It can be used in various contexts, including historical references to feudal lords or in modern usage to denote a dominant figure in advertising or business. The nuance often implies a negative connotation of oppression or authoritarianism.
When to use 霸
Be cautious when using 霸 (bà) in conversation, as it has strong negative connotations. It's more appropriate in formal contexts or discussions about history and power dynamics. Common collocations include 霸权 (bàquán, hegemony) and 霸道 (bàdào, tyrannical).
霸 or something close to it
霸 (bà) vs 强 (qiáng) — choose 霸 when emphasizing tyrannical power, while 强 focuses on strength or capability without the oppressive connotation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 霸 (bà) with other words for authority like 权 (quán), which is more neutral. For example, saying '他是一个霸权' (Tā shì yīgè bàquán) can be misleading; instead, say '他是一个霸主' (Tā shì yīgè bàzhǔ) to clarify it refers to a tyrant.
Write 霸
霸
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Practice writing 霸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 霸
霸 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 5 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 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这个国王非常____道，不听别人的意见。
This king is very tyrannical and doesn't listen to others' opinions.
Example sentences for 霸 (8)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
ntyrant; to usurp, to rule by might4
1
这个国王非常霸道，不听别人的意见。
Zhège guówáng fēicháng bàdào, bù tīng biérén de yìjiàn.
This king is very tyrannical and doesn't listen to others' opinions.
2
他总是想在小组里当霸主。
Tā zǒng shì xiǎng zài xiǎozǔ lǐ dāng bàzhǔ.
He always wants to be the tyrant in the group.
3
那个老板很霸，员工都怕他。
Nàge lǎobǎn hěn bà, yuángōng dōu pà tā.
That boss is a tyrant, and all the employees are afraid of him.
