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March 24, 2026
臂bì(bi4)
The character 臂 (bì) refers specifically to the 'arm,' often used in anatomical or physical contexts. It can describe the human arm in general or be used in phrases related to strength and capability, such as in sports or physical activities.
Strokes17Radical⺼Frequency#8685DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the health of the arms is often linked to one's overall vitality and energy flow, emphasizing the importance of physical health in daily life.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong arm reaching out to grab a big 'bee' (sounds like 'bì') flying by. The character 臂 has the '尸' (shī) radical at the bottom, which looks like a person, symbolizing the human body and its limbs.
Meanings of 臂
bì(bi4)
1arm
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 臂
臂Simplified
17Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8685Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 臂
Podcast: 臂
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AI Study Notes for 臂
Quick Contrast
肩 (jiān) refers specifically to the 'shoulder,' while 臂 (bì) refers to the 'arm,' emphasizing the different anatomical parts.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong arm reaching out to grab a big 'bee' (sounds like 'bì') flying by. The character 臂 has the '尸' (shī) radical at the bottom, which looks like a person, symbolizing the human body and its limbs.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 臂 with 手 (shǒu), which means 'hand.' While both relate to the upper limb, 臂 specifically refers to the arm. It is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as medical discussions or anatomical descriptions.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 臂 connects well with other bodily terms like 手 (hand) and 腿 (leg). Focus on using it in compound phrases like 臂力 (bìlì - 'arm strength') to enhance your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the health of the arms is often linked to one's overall vitality and energy flow, emphasizing the importance of physical health in daily life.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 臂 with 腕 (wàn), which means 'wrist.' For example, saying '我有很强的腕力' (wǒ yǒu hěn qiáng de wànlì - 'I have strong wrist strength') should instead use 臂力 to convey strength in the arms.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 臂
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Grammar Patterns of 臂
臂 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Good listeners even sit in an open way: relaxed, arms loose.
10
他笨手笨脚地想抓住艾尔弗雷德的手臂。
tā bèn shǒu bèn jiǎo dì xiǎng zhuā zhù ài ěr fú léi dé de shǒu bì。
He was clumsily trying to grab at Alfred's arms.
Cultural Notes for 臂
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the health of the arms is often linked to one's overall vitality and energy flow, emphasizing the importance of physical health in daily life.
Word Family of 臂
Words Containing This Character18
手臂shǒubìarm
臂bìarm
双臂arms雙臂
臂膀arm
前臂forearm
失之交臂to miss narrowly
臂弯crook of the arm臂彎
胳臂arm
臂章armband
长臂猿gibbon長臂猿
三头六臂fig. to possess remarkable abilities三頭六臂
悬臂cantilever懸臂
膀臂arm
振臂一呼to issue a call for action
力臂lever arm (i.e. perpendicular distance from the fulcrum to the line of force)
螳臂当车a mantis trying to stop a chariot (idiom)螳臂當車
交臂linking arms
如臂使指freely and effortlessly
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 手臂 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 臂
The pronunciation is 'bì,' with a falling tone. Practice saying it with emphasis on the tone to differentiate it from similar-sounding words.
Yes, but it is more common in formal contexts; for casual conversations about arms, you might use 手臂 (shǒubì), which means 'arm'.
Some phrases include 臂力 (bìlì - 'arm strength') and 臂腕 (bìwàn - 'wrist and arm').
