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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.
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.
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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1The giveawayTo put on 扌 fur 皮; 皮 also provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 披? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 披?
Decomposition of 披
IDS Structure⿰扌皮
披Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
皮Pi2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 披?
How to say to drape over one's shoulders in Chinese
“to drape over one's shoulders” in Chinese is披pī
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.
When to use 披
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.
披 or something close to it
披 (pī) vs 盖 (gài) — use 披 for draping or elegantly wearing something, while 盖 refers to covering something completely.
What learners get wrong
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).
Write 披
披
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Practice writing 披 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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"?
