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牌 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
牌
pái
mahjong tile
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, radical 片, rank #1361, Medium
牌
pái
playing card
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, radical 片, rank #1361, Medium
牌
pái
game pieces
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, radical 片, rank #1361, Medium
牌
pái
signboard
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, radical 片, rank #1361, Medium
牌
pái
plate
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, radical 片, rank #1361, Medium
牌
pái
tablet
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, radical 片, rank #1361, Medium
牌
pái
medal
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, radical 片, rank #1361, Medium
牌
pái
card, game piece; placard, signboard, tablet
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, radical 片, rank #1361, Medium
pái(pai2)pai T2
1mahjong tile
2playing card
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March 24, 2026
牌pái(pai2)
The character 牌 (pái) refers to items like mahjong tiles, playing cards, or game pieces, and can also mean signboards and tablets. It is commonly used in contexts related to games, signage, and awards, indicating something that is marked or labeled.
Strokes12Radical片Frequency#1361DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, mahjong is a popular pastime often played during family gatherings and celebrations, making the character 牌 particularly relevant. It embodies a social aspect of leisure and competition.
Memory tip
Think of 牌 (pái) as a 'plate' with a 'sign' on it, where you can see the details of the game you are playing. Imagine a colorful mahjong tile resting on a plate, catching your eye with its vibrant design—this connection helps you remember both its shape and sound.
Meanings of 牌
pái(pai2)
1mahjong tile
2playing card
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
Play it, then pick what 牌 means.
About 牌
牌Simplified
12Strokes
片Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1361Frequency Rank
片Measure Word
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 牌
Podcast: 牌
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AI study notes for 牌
Quick Contrast
牌 (pái) vs 标 (biāo) — choose 牌 when referring to game pieces or signboards, while 标 is used for labels or markers.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 牌 with similar-sounding characters. It's used mainly in informal contexts for games and casual signage. Be cautious with tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings, as it can sound like other characters such as 排 (pái, to arrange).
HSK Study Tips
牌 is not currently in the HSK vocabulary list, but it complements words related to games and leisure, which are commonly found in HSK levels. Focus on using it in sentences related to card games or signage to enhance retention.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly write 牌 as 排 (pái), which means 'to arrange.' Always remember that 牌 is related to games and signage, while 排 is about order and arrangement.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 牌
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Tone practice
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How well do you know 牌?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 牌 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.
牌 = 片 + 卑. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 牌
IDS Structure⿰片卑
牌Full character
=
片pian1
left
卑bei1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 牌?
How to say mahjong tile in Chinese
“mahjong tile” in Chinese is牌pái
The character 牌 (pái) refers to items like mahjong tiles, playing cards, or game pieces, and can also mean signboards and tablets. It is commonly used in contexts related to games, signage, and awards, indicating something that is marked or labeled.
When to use 牌
Learners often confuse 牌 with similar-sounding characters. It's used mainly in informal contexts for games and casual signage. Be cautious with tone; using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings, as it can sound like other characters such as 排 (pái, to arrange).
牌 or something close to it
牌 (pái) vs 标 (biāo) — choose 牌 when referring to game pieces or signboards, while 标 is used for labels or markers.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly write 牌 as 排 (pái), which means 'to arrange.' Always remember that 牌 is related to games and signage, while 排 is about order and arrangement.
Write 牌
牌
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Practice writing 牌 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 牌
牌 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 8 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.
The three acts will alternate as headliners throughout the tour.
10
我买了几个畅销品牌中的一种。
wǒ mǎi le jǐ gè chàngxiāo pǐnpái zhōng de yī zhǒng。
I bought one of the leading brands.
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Cultural Notes for 牌
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, mahjong is a popular game that uses 牌 (tiles) and has deep social significance, often played during family gatherings and festivals.
Word Family of 牌
Words containing this character20
牌páimahjong tile
品牌pǐnpáibrand name
牌子páizisign
金牌jīnpáigold medal
车牌chēpáilicense plate車牌
名牌míngpáifamous brand
牌照páizhào(business) licence
招牌zhāopaisignboard
挂牌guàpáilit. to hang up a plate掛牌
打牌dǎpáito play mahjong or cards
王牌wángpáitrump card
玩牌wánpáito play cards
广告牌guǎnggàopáibillboard廣告牌
盾牌dùnpáishield
奖牌jiǎngpáimedal (awarded as a prize)獎牌
大牌dàpáistrong card
纸牌zhǐpáiplaying card紙牌
老牌lǎopáiold style
黄牌huángpái(sports) yellow card黃牌
红牌hóngpáired card (sports)紅牌
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 牌
What does 品牌 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 牌
牌 can mean a variety of things in Chinese, including a playing card (like in poker), a mahjong tile, or a signboard for a business. It can also refer to game pieces used in various board games. Understanding the context is key to grasping its intended meaning.
Yes, 牌 is a common character in the Chinese language, especially in contexts involving games and entertainment. It appears frequently in discussions about card games, mahjong, and signage. Learning its usage can enhance your understanding of related vocabulary.
牌 (pái) refers to a card or a tile used in games like mahjong and playing cards. It can also mean a signboard or plate, indicating a specific item or information. The character is commonly used in contexts related to games and signage.
You can use 牌 in sentences related to games or signs. For example, '我喜欢打麻将，因为我很喜欢牌' means 'I enjoy playing mahjong because I really like the tiles.' You can also say, '这个牌子很好' which means 'This signboard is very good.'
牌 can mean a mahjong tile, playing card, signboard, or even a medal, depending on the context.
You might say, '我在玩牌' (Wǒ zài wán pái), which means 'I am playing cards.'
It's commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, especially when discussing games or signage.
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