兵马俑 (bīngmǎyǒng) refers to the Terracotta Army, a collection of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers and horses buried with China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. These sculptures were created to accompany the emperor in the afterlife, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of the Qin dynasty. The term can also be used more broadly to refer to similar funerary art.
HSK 3, 24 strokes, Hard
bīngmǎyǒng(bing1ma3yong3) T1
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May 27, 2026
兵马俑bīngmǎyǒng(bing1ma3yong3)
兵马俑 (bīngmǎyǒng) refers to the Terracotta Army, a collection of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers and horses buried with China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. These sculptures were created to accompany the emperor in the afterlife, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of the Qin dynasty. The term can also be used more broadly to refer to similar funerary art.
Strokes24Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The discovery of the 兵马俑 near Xi'an in 1974 has become a significant symbol of China’s rich historical heritage, attracting millions of tourists and scholars worldwide. It represents the burial customs and beliefs in the afterlife that were prevalent during the Qin dynasty.
Memory Tip
Imagine a grand army of clay soldiers (兵) marching (马) alongside their noble steeds (俑). Picture them rising from the ground at the command of the emperor, bīngmǎyǒng, ready to serve him in the afterlife. The components 兵 (soldier) and 马 (horse) help you visualize this majestic burial army.
About 兵马俑
兵马俑Simplified
24Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryHSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 兵马俑
Podcast: 兵马俑
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AI Study Notes for 兵马俑
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a grand army of clay soldiers (兵) marching (马) alongside their noble steeds (俑). Picture them rising from the ground at the command of the emperor, bīngmǎyǒng, ready to serve him in the afterlife. The components 兵 (soldier) and 马 (horse) help you visualize this majestic burial army.
Usage Notes
When using 兵马俑, it's important to note that it is typically used in formal contexts, especially when discussing Chinese history or archaeology. Avoid confusing it with other types of ancient artifacts; it specifically refers to the terracotta figures. Remember that the tone for bīng is the first tone (high and level) and should not be mispronounced as a falling tone, which could change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK level 3, learners should focus on recognizing and using 兵马俑 in discussions about Chinese history and culture. This word connects to other vocabulary related to history (历史, lìshǐ) and culture (文化, wénhuà), which are also part of the HSK 3 curriculum.
Cultural Note
The discovery of the 兵马俑 near Xi'an in 1974 has become a significant symbol of China’s rich historical heritage, attracting millions of tourists and scholars worldwide. It represents the burial customs and beliefs in the afterlife that were prevalent during the Qin dynasty.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 兵马俑 with other artifacts like the Great Wall or the Forbidden City, which are not related. Additionally, some might mistakenly pronounce 马 (mǎ) with a falling tone instead of the correct rising tone, which can lead to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 兵马俑
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Cultural Notes for 兵马俑
🏮Cultural insight
The discovery of the 兵马俑 near Xi'an in 1974 has become a significant symbol of China’s rich historical heritage, attracting millions of tourists and scholars worldwide. It represents the burial customs and beliefs in the afterlife that were prevalent during the Qin dynasty.
Frequently Asked Questions about 兵马俑
兵 (bīng) means 'soldier', 马 (mǎ) means 'horse', and 俑 (yǒng) refers to 'figurine', together depicting 'soldier and horse figurines'.
You can visit the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, China, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Yes, they are highly regarded as significant works of art and craftsmanship from ancient China.
