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逼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
逼bīto compelHSK 6, v, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1122, Hard
逼bīto pressureHSK 6, v, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1122, Hard
逼bīto bother, to pressure; to compel, to forceHSK 6, v, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1122, Hard
逼bīto extortHSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1122, Hard
逼bīto press on towardsHSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1122, Hard
逼bīto press up toHSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1122, Hard
逼bīto close in onHSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1122, Hard
逼bīused in the place of 屄[bi1], cuntHSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 辶, rank #1122, Hard
bī(bi1)bi T1
  1. 1to compel
  2. 2to pressure
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March 24, 2026

逼(偪)bī(bi1)

The character 逼 (bī) primarily means to compel or pressure someone into a certain action. It can also refer to bothering or forcing someone in various contexts, particularly in social or relational situations. This term may carry a negative connotation, suggesting unwanted pressure or coercion.

Strokes12Radical辶Frequency#1122DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of saving face is crucial, making the use of 逼 particularly sensitive. Pressuring someone can not only affect their decision but also harm social relationships, highlighting the importance of indirect communication.

Memory tip

Imagine someone pushing you into a corner until you have no choice but to act. The character 逼 looks like a person (the left radical) being pressed by an invisible wall (the right radical), symbolizing the act of being compelled.

Meanings of 逼

bī(bi1)
1to compel
2to pressure
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 逼 means.

About 逼

逼Simplified
偪Traditional
12Strokes
辶Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1122Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 逼

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Podcast: 逼

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AI study notes for 逼

Quick Contrast

逼 (bī) vs 催 (cuī) — use 逼 when emphasizing unwanted pressure, while 催 focuses on urging or reminding someone to do something.

Usage Notes

Be cautious of the context in which you use 逼, as it can sound aggressive or confrontational. It is often used in informal settings, but using it in formal discourse may come off as rude. Common collocations include phrases like 逼迫 (bī pò, to compel) and 逼问 (bī wèn, to press for answers).

HSK Study Tips

While 逼 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to HSK Level 4 vocabulary related to social interactions and emotions. Focus on recognizing its nuances in pressure-related contexts, and how it contrasts with softer terms used in persuasion.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 逼 with similar-sounding words like 鼻 (bí, nose) or 逼近 (bījìn, to approach), leading to misunderstandings. Remember, 逼 specifically indicates pressure or compulsion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 逼

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Etymology of 逼

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 畐 represents the sound. Simplified form of 偪.

Memory hint

walk

Semantic (meaning)辶
+
Phonetic (sound)畐
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

逼 = 辶 + 畐. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 逼

IDS Structure⿺辶畐
逼Full character
=
辶chuo4
enclosing
畐fu2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 逼?

How to say to compel in Chinese

“to compel” in Chinese is逼bī

The character 逼 (bī) primarily means to compel or pressure someone into a certain action. It can also refer to bothering or forcing someone in various contexts, particularly in social or relational situations. This term may carry a negative connotation, suggesting unwanted pressure or coercion.

When to use 逼

Be cautious of the context in which you use 逼, as it can sound aggressive or confrontational. It is often used in informal settings, but using it in formal discourse may come off as rude. Common collocations include phrases like 逼迫 (bī pò, to compel) and 逼问 (bī wèn, to press for answers).

逼 or something close to it

逼 (bī) vs 催 (cuī) — use 逼 when emphasizing unwanted pressure, while 催 focuses on urging or reminding someone to do something.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 逼 with similar-sounding words like 鼻 (bí, nose) or 逼近 (bījìn, to approach), leading to misunderstandings. Remember, 逼 specifically indicates pressure or compulsion.

Write 逼

逼

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

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Grammar patterns of 逼

逼 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 8 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.

他咄咄____人地强迫你了解他的看法。

His relentless aggression bludgeons you into seeing his point.

Example sentences for 逼 (12)

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1
他咄咄逼人地强迫你了解他的看法。

tā duō duō bī rén dì qiǎngpò nǐ liǎojiě tā de kànfǎ。

His relentless aggression bludgeons you into seeing his point.
2
空气稀薄清新,其间日光蒙眬,寒气逼人。

kōngqì xī báo qīngxīn, qíjiān rì guāng mēng lóng, hán qì bī rén。

The air was thin and crisp, filled with hazy sunshine and frost.
3
她这个人才气逼人,可是绝对忠诚可靠,而且毫不做作,有人情味和宽容心。

tā zhège réncái qì bī rén, kěshì juéduì zhōngchéng kěkào, érqiě háobù zuò zuō, yǒurén qíng wèi hé kuānróng xīn。

She was caustically brilliant, yet totally loyal, unpretentious, human and tolerant.
4
埃米从她所站的位置都能感到他活力逼人。

āi mǐ cóng tā suǒ zhàn de wèizhì dōu néng gǎndào tā huólì bī rén。

Amy could sense his liveliness even from where she stood.
5
那辆奔驰开始逼近小货车。

nà liàng bēnchí kāishǐ bījìn xiǎo huòchē。

The Mercedes began to gain on the van.
6
那部电影的逼真的现实主义

nà bù diànyǐng de bīzhēn de xiànshí zhǔyì

the movie's hard-edged realism
7
依赖性太强的孩子会逼得父母心烦意乱。

yīlài xìng tài jiàng de háizi huì bī de fùmǔ xīn fán yì luàn。

A very clingy child can drive a parent to distraction.
8
我觉得圣人都能被她逼疯。

wǒ juéde shèngrén dōu néng bèi tā bī fēng。

I feel that she would try the patience of a saint.
9
她咄咄逼人的态度让他难以解释自己的感情。

tā duō duō bī rén de tàidù ràng tā nányǐ jiěshì zìjǐ de gǎnqíng。

Her aggressiveness made it difficult for him to explain his own feelings.
10
他不知用的什么法子将皮卡德逼出了房间。

tā bùzhī yòng de shénme fǎ zi jiāng pí kǎ dé bī chū le fángjiān。

He somehow managed to winkle Picard out of his room.
11
面对如此逼人的竞争压力,他不得不更加努力。

Miàn duì rú cǐ bī rén de jìngzhēng yālì, tā bùdé bù gèng jiā nǔlì.

Facing such intense competitive pressure, he has to work even harder.
12
冷空气逼得我们不得不穿上厚外套。

Lěng kōngqì bī dé wǒmen bùdé bù chuān shàng hòu wàitào.

The cold air forced us to put on thick coats.

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Word Family of 逼

Words containing this character20
逼bīto compel
逼近bījìnto close in on
逼迫bīpòto force
逼真bīzhēnlifelike
逼供bīgòngto extort a confession
咄咄逼人duōduōbīrénoverbearing
逼人bīrénpressing
逼死bīsǐto hound sb to death
威逼wēibīto threaten
紧逼jǐnbīto press hard緊逼
逼问bīwènto interrogate逼問
进逼jìnbīto advance on sth進逼
强逼qiǎngbīto compel強逼
逼和bīhéto force a draw (in chess, competition etc)
逼视bīshìto watch intently逼視
威逼利诱wēibīlìyòuto make threats and promises威逼利誘
逼上梁山bīshàngliángshānto drive to revolt
逼债bīzhàito dun逼債
硬逼yìngbīto pressure
逼良为娼bīliángwéichāngto debauch逼良為娼
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 逼

What does 逼近 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 逼

Synonyms include 强迫 (qiángpò, to force) and 促使 (cùshǐ, to induce).

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