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备用 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
备用bèiyòngreserveHSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #5147, Hard
备用bèiyòngspareHSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #5147, Hard
备用bèiyòngalternateHSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #5147, Hard
备用bèiyòngbackupHSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #5147, Hard
bèiyòng(bei4yong4)bei yong T4
  1. 1reserve
  2. 2spare
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March 24, 2026

备用(備用)bèiyòng(bei4yong4)

备用 refers to something that is kept in reserve or as a backup, often used in contexts such as equipment, resources, or plans. It implies that this alternative is not the primary choice but can be utilized when necessary. Commonly used in both personal and professional settings.

Strokes13Frequency#5147DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, having a 备用 plan is a common practice, reflecting a mindset of preparedness and caution, especially in business and family settings. This mirrors the traditional value of being ready for unforeseen circumstances.

Memory tip

Think of a 'backup' plan when you have a spare tire in your car. The characters 备 (bei4) suggests preparation or readiness, while 用 (yong4) means to use. Imagine preparing a spare tire (备用) for emergencies.

Meanings of 备用

bèiyòng(bei4yong4)
1reserve
2spare
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About 备用

备用Simplified
備用Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 备用

Quick Contrast

备用 (bèiyòng) vs 预备 (yùbèi) — use 备用 for a backup that is kept in reserve, whereas 预备 implies preparation or readiness for use.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of using 备用 in contexts where something is explicitly set aside for future use. It can be informal, but in business contexts, clarity is important – avoid ambiguity. Common collocations include 备用金 (backup funds) and 备用方案 (backup plan).

HSK Study Tips

Though 备用 may not appear in lower HSK levels, it connects well with HSK 4 vocabulary surrounding planning and resource management. Focus on understanding how to use it in sentences about alternatives and reserves.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 备用 with 省用 (shěng yòng), which means to conserve or save usage. For example, saying '我需要省用的东西' (I need conserving items) instead of '我需要备用的东西' (I need backup items) can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 备用

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Component characters

备bèito prepare
HSK 78 strokes夂
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用yòngto use
HSK 35 strokes用
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How to say reserve in Chinese

“reserve” in Chinese is备用bèiyòng

备用 refers to something that is kept in reserve or as a backup, often used in contexts such as equipment, resources, or plans. It implies that this alternative is not the primary choice but can be utilized when necessary. Commonly used in both personal and professional settings.

When to use 备用

Be mindful of using 备用 in contexts where something is explicitly set aside for future use. It can be informal, but in business contexts, clarity is important – avoid ambiguity. Common collocations include 备用金 (backup funds) and 备用方案 (backup plan).

备用 or something close to it

备用 (bèiyòng) vs 预备 (yùbèi) — use 备用 for a backup that is kept in reserve, whereas 预备 implies preparation or readiness for use.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 备用 with 省用 (shěng yòng), which means to conserve or save usage. For example, saying '我需要省用的东西' (I need conserving items) instead of '我需要备用的东西' (I need backup items) can lead to misunderstandings.

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备
用

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Frequently asked questions about 备用

备用 generally refers to a reserve or backup in usage, while 备用品 specifically means backup items or spare parts.

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