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贬低 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
贬低
biǎndī
to belittle
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #11133, Very Hard
贬低
biǎndī
to disparage
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #11133, Very Hard
贬低
biǎndī
to play down
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #11133, Very Hard
贬低
biǎndī
to demean
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #11133, Very Hard
贬低
biǎndī
to degrade
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #11133, Very Hard
贬低
biǎndī
to devalue
HSK 7, v, 15 strokes, rank #11133, Very Hard
biǎndī(bian3di1)bian di T3
1to belittle
2to disparage
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March 24, 2026
贬低(貶低)biǎndī(bian3di1)
贬低 (bian3 di1) means to belittle or disparage someone or something, implying a negative judgment that diminishes the perceived value or worth. This verb is commonly used in contexts where individuals or ideas are unfairly criticized or devalued, often in discussions about opinions, abilities, or achievements.
Strokes15Frequency#11133DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, showing respect and maintaining harmony is crucial, so 贬低 can be particularly sensitive. It often reflects a more significant social dynamic where criticism can lead to a loss of face for individuals.
Memory tip
Think of 贬 (bian3) as resembling 'ban' in English, which can symbolize a rejection or lowering, and 低 (di1) means 'low' or 'lower.' Imagine someone trying to 'ban' or lower the value of a prized possession, creating a vivid image of belittling.
Meanings of 贬低
biǎndī(bian3di1)
1to belittle
2to disparage
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 贬低
贬低Simplified
貶低Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#11133Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7TOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 贬低
Podcast: 贬低
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AI Study Notes for 贬低
Quick Contrast
贬损 (biǎnsǔn) vs 贬低 (biǎndī): use 贬损 when the focus is on damaging someone's reputation, while 贬低 emphasizes the act of belittling or devaluing.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 贬低 with 赞美 (zan4 mei3), which means to praise. It is more commonly used in informal contexts, so ensure the tone matches your audience. Also, watch for the correct tones; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 6 word, 贬低 connects well with other verbs that express opinion or judgment, such as 评价 (ping2 jia4) and 批评 (pi1 ping2). Focus on practicing sentences that involve comparisons to reinforce understanding and usage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 贬低 when they mean to simply criticize, which can carry a stronger connotation of devaluing. For example, saying '他贬低了这个计划' (He belittled this plan) instead of just '他批评了这个计划' (He criticized this plan) can imply a much harsher judgment.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 贬低
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贬低 (bian3 di1) means to belittle or disparage someone or something, implying a negative judgment that diminishes the perceived value or worth. This verb is commonly used in contexts where individuals or ideas are unfairly criticized or devalued, often in discussions about opinions, abilities, or achievements.
When to use 贬低
Be careful not to confuse 贬低 with 赞美 (zan4 mei3), which means to praise. It is more commonly used in informal contexts, so ensure the tone matches your audience. Also, watch for the correct tones; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
贬低 or something close to it
贬损 (biǎnsǔn) vs 贬低 (biǎndī): use 贬损 when the focus is on damaging someone's reputation, while 贬低 emphasizes the act of belittling or devaluing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 贬低 when they mean to simply criticize, which can carry a stronger connotation of devaluing. For example, saying '他贬低了这个计划' (He belittled this plan) instead of just '他批评了这个计划' (He criticized this plan) can imply a much harsher judgment.
Write 贬低
贬
低
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Practice writing 贬低 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 贬低
贬低 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
政客们____了“自由”一词的意义。
Politicians have debased the meaning of the word "freedom"
Example Sentences for 贬低 (10)
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vto belittle9
1
政客们贬低了“自由”一词的意义。
zhèng kè mén biǎn dī le“ “ zì” yóu ” yī cí de。
Politicians have debased the meaning of the word "freedom"
