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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
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
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.
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.
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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Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 辟 represents the sound.
1The meaning half⺼ carries the sense.
2The sound half辟 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayflesh
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 臂? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
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Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 臂?
Decomposition of 臂
IDS Structure⿱辟⺼
臂Full Character
=
辟bi4
top
⺼rou4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 臂?
How to say arm in Chinese
“arm” in Chinese is臂bì
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.
When to use 臂
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.
臂 or something close to it
肩 (jiān) refers specifically to the 'shoulder,' while 臂 (bì) refers to the 'arm,' emphasizing the different anatomical parts.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 臂
臂
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Practice writing 臂 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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.
