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March 24, 2026
宾(賓)bīn(bin1)
The character 宾 (bīn) primarily refers to a guest or visitor, often used in contexts related to hospitality. It can also refer to the object in grammatical terms, emphasizing the role of something being received or acted upon. This character is commonly seen in phrases related to welcoming guests or discussing social gatherings.
Strokes10Radical宀Frequency#5028DifficultyEasy
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, hospitality is highly valued, and the concept of a guest (宾) is treated with great respect. The phrase '宾至如归' (bīn zhì rú guī) means 'guests feel at home,' highlighting the importance of making visitors comfortable.
Memory tip
Imagine a guest (宾) arriving at your home, represented by a house (宀) with a person (口) inside. The person is waiting to greet the guest warmly, which helps you remember that 宾 signifies someone who visits or is received.
Meanings of 宾
bīn(bin1)
1visitor
2guest
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About 宾
宾Simplified
賓Traditional
10Strokes
宀Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#5028Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2
Podcast: 宾
Podcast: 宾
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AI study notes for 宾
Quick Contrast
客 (kè) - use 宾 (bīn) when emphasizing the role of a guest in a formal or hospitable context, whereas 客 (kè) is more general and can refer to any visitor.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 宾 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It is typically used in formal contexts, such as in hospitality or when referring to guests in a respectful manner. Common collocations include 宾馆 (bīn guǎn, hotel) and 宾客 (bīn kè, guests).
HSK Study Tips
While 宾 is not an HSK level word, it connects well with HSK vocabulary related to hospitality and social interactions. Students should focus on recognizing collocations and usage in sentences involving guests or visitors.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 宾 with 客, mistakenly using 宾 in casual contexts. Correct usage would involve using 客 for informal settings and reserving 宾 for formal invitations or hospitality scenarios.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 宾
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Knowing 宾 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 宾 (bīn) primarily refers to a guest or visitor, often used in contexts related to hospitality. It can also refer to the object in grammatical terms, emphasizing the role of something being received or acted upon. This character is commonly seen in phrases related to welcoming guests or discussing social gatherings.
When to use 宾
Be careful not to confuse 宾 with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It is typically used in formal contexts, such as in hospitality or when referring to guests in a respectful manner. Common collocations include 宾馆 (bīn guǎn, hotel) and 宾客 (bīn kè, guests).
宾 or something close to it
客 (kè) - use 宾 (bīn) when emphasizing the role of a guest in a formal or hospitable context, whereas 客 (kè) is more general and can refer to any visitor.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 宾 with 客, mistakenly using 宾 in casual contexts. Correct usage would involve using 客 for informal settings and reserving 宾 for formal invitations or hospitality scenarios.
Write 宾
宾
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Grammar patterns of 宾
宾 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 4 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.
