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被迫 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
被迫bèipòto be compelledHSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #4267, Hard
被迫bèipòto be forcedHSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #4267, Hard
bèipò(bei4po4) T4
  1. 1to be compelled
  2. 2to be forced
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March 24, 2026

被迫bèipò(bei4po4)

被迫 (bèi pò) means 'to be compelled' or 'to be forced' into doing something against one's will. It is often used in contexts where someone is obliged to take an action due to external pressure or circumstances, highlighting a lack of choice or autonomy.

Strokes18Frequency#4267DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese society, concepts of obligation and family duty are prominent, making 被迫 particularly relevant when discussing social pressures or familial expectations. This term may often come up in conversations around career choices or family responsibilities.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person (the character '被' represents 'to be') standing on a stage with a giant puppet string (the character '迫' means 'to force'). Visualize the puppet master pulling the strings, making the person do things they don’t want to, thus connecting the characters to the meaning of being forced.

Meanings of 被迫

bèipò(bei4po4)
1to be compelled
2to be forced
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About 被迫

被迫Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 被迫

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Podcast: 被迫

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AI Study Notes for 被迫

Quick Contrast

强迫 (qiǎngpò) — use 被迫 when emphasizing lack of choice due to external circumstances, while 强迫 implies an active imposition of force.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when using 被迫, as mispronunciation could alter the meaning. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in discussions about obligations or pressure. Common collocations include 被迫离开 (to be forced to leave) or 被迫接受 (to be compelled to accept).

HSK Study Tips

While 被迫 is not specifically listed in the HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners at HSK 4 and above. It connects with words related to obligation like 必须 (must) and 需要 (need), so focus on the nuances of compulsion versus necessity.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 被迫 with 自愿 (voluntarily) and use it incorrectly in positive contexts, such as saying '我被迫喜欢这个工作' (I was forced to like this job) instead of expressing reluctance. The correct usage would emphasize the lack of choice.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 被迫

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Component Characters

被bèiquilt
HSK 310 strokes衤
View full entry
迫pòto persecute
8 strokes辶
View full entry

How to say to be compelled in Chinese

“to be compelled” in Chinese is被迫bèipò

被迫 (bèi pò) means 'to be compelled' or 'to be forced' into doing something against one's will. It is often used in contexts where someone is obliged to take an action due to external pressure or circumstances, highlighting a lack of choice or autonomy.

When to use 被迫

Be cautious with the tone when using 被迫, as mispronunciation could alter the meaning. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in discussions about obligations or pressure. Common collocations include 被迫离开 (to be forced to leave) or 被迫接受 (to be compelled to accept).

被迫 or something close to it

强迫 (qiǎngpò) — use 被迫 when emphasizing lack of choice due to external circumstances, while 强迫 implies an active imposition of force.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 被迫 with 自愿 (voluntarily) and use it incorrectly in positive contexts, such as saying '我被迫喜欢这个工作' (I was forced to like this job) instead of expressing reluctance. The correct usage would emphasize the lack of choice.

Write 被迫

被
迫

Practice writing 被迫 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 被迫

No, 被迫 typically has a negative connotation, implying that the action is unwelcome or forced.

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