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March 24, 2026
披pī(pi1)
The verb 披 (pī) primarily means to drape over one’s shoulders or to spread out. It is commonly used in contexts where clothing or a covering is placed over the body, as well as in situations involving opening or unrolling, such as a scroll or a piece of fabric. The nuance often conveys a sense of elegance or care in the way something is worn or displayed.
Strokes8Radical扌Frequency#4264DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, wearing a silk scarf or shawl is often seen as a sign of sophistication and grace, especially in formal settings. The act of draping such clothing can also symbolize respect and elegance in ceremonies and gatherings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person named 'Penny' who loves to wear a beautiful shawl. She 'pees' (pronounced like 'pī') in joy as she drapes it over her shoulders, showcasing it to her friends. The character 披 resembles a person elegantly draping a shawl, with the top horizontal line symbolizing the shoulders and the rest flowing down.
Meanings of 披
pī(pi1)
1to drape over one's shoulders
2to open
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 披
披Simplified
8Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4264Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 披
Podcast: 披
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AI Study Notes for 披
Quick Contrast
披 (pī) vs 盖 (gài) — use 披 for draping or elegantly wearing something, while 盖 refers to covering something completely.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person named 'Penny' who loves to wear a beautiful shawl. She 'pees' (pronounced like 'pī') in joy as she drapes it over her shoulders, showcasing it to her friends. The character 披 resembles a person elegantly draping a shawl, with the top horizontal line symbolizing the shoulders and the rest flowing down.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 披 with other similar verbs like 穿 (chuān), which means 'to wear' in a more general sense. 披 is typically used for draping or covering, especially with shawls or capes. Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 披 connects well with other verbs describing actions related to clothing and movement. Students should focus on its usage in various contexts, especially in fashion and presentation, to understand the subtleties of draping and displaying.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, wearing a silk scarf or shawl is often seen as a sign of sophistication and grace, especially in formal settings. The act of draping such clothing can also symbolize respect and elegance in ceremonies and gatherings.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 披 with 打开 (dǎkāi), which means 'to open,' when referring to clothing. A common mistake is saying '我打开外套' (wǒ dǎkāi wàitào) instead of '我披上外套' (wǒ pī shàng wàitào).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 披
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Grammar Patterns of 披
披 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 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 4
Complete the Sentence
任何隐藏的东西都是有害的（所以____露就等于安全）。
Whatever is hidden is harmful (hence revelation equals security).
Common Confusions with 披
披vs批
pī
Same pronunciation but different meanings.
披vs皮
pí
Similar sound, different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to drape over one's shoulders"?
The facts could cause embarrassment if they ever became public.
5
在不披露身份的条件下，他接受了记者的采访。
zài bù pī lòu shēn fèn de tiáo jiàn xià， ， tā jiē shòu le jì zhě de cǎi。
He spoke to reporters on condition that he was not identified.
6
她的一头乌发分披在健康红润的脸颊旁.
tā de yī tóu wū fā fēn pī zài jiàn kāng hóng rùn de liǎn jiá páng.
Her black hair springs in fine strands across her tawny, ruddy cheek.
7
他以前常穿一件黑披风。
tā yǐ qián cháng chuān yī jiàn hēi pī fēng。
He used to go about in a black cape.
8
他的头发像脏兮兮的雪一样披散在肩上。
tā de tóu fā xiàng zāng xī xī de xuě yī yàng pī sàn zài jiān shàng。
His hair was drifting about his shoulders like dirty snow.
9
娜塔莎拿起外套披在肩上。
nà tǎ suō ná qǐ wài tào pī zài jiān shàng。
Natasha took the coat and draped it over her shoulders.
10
这个家族的家史披上了一层神秘的色彩.
zhè gè jiā zú de jiā shǐ pī shàng le yī céng shén mì de sè cǎi.
The history of the family is cloaked in mystery.
Cultural Notes for 披
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, wearing a silk scarf or shawl is often seen as a sign of sophistication and grace, especially in formal settings. The act of draping such clothing can also symbolize respect and elegance in ceremonies and gatherings.
Word Family of 披
Words Containing This Character19
披露pīlùto reveal
披pīto open
披萨pizza (loanword)披薩
披肩cape
披风cloak披風
所向披靡to sweep everything before one
披荆斩棘to break through hardships披荊斬棘
披挂to wear披掛
披头散发with one's hair down披頭散髮
披星戴月to toil away for long hours
披甲to don armor
披红to drape sb in red silk as a sign of honor披紅
披靡to be swept by the wind
披麻戴孝to wear mourning clothes
披肝沥胆lit. to open one's liver and drip gall (idiom); wholehearted loyalty披肝瀝膽
披阅to peruse披閱
披麻带孝to wear mourning clothes披麻帶孝
披览to pore over a book披覽
戴月披星to toil away for long hours
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 披露 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 披
You can say '她披上了一件外套' (Tā pī shàng le yī jiàn wàitào), meaning 'She draped on a coat.'
Yes, it can appear in phrases related to elegance, such as 披风 (pī fēng), meaning 'to wear a windbreaker or shawl.'
No, while it's commonly used for clothing, it can also refer to unrolling or spreading out items like scrolls.
