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贼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
贼
zéi
thief
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 贝, rank #3212, Very Hard
贼
zéi
traitor
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 贝, rank #3212, Very Hard
贼
zéi
wily
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 贝, rank #3212, Very Hard
贼
zéi
deceitful
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 贝, rank #3212, Very Hard
贼
zéi
evil
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 贝, rank #3212, Very Hard
贼
zéi
extremely
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 贝, rank #3212, Very Hard
贼
zéi
thief, traitor; cunning, sly
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 贝, rank #3212, Very Hard
zéi(zei2)zei T2
1thief
2traitor
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
贼(賊)zéi(zei2)
The character 贼 (zéi) primarily means 'thief' or 'traitor.' It can also describe someone who is deceitful or cunning. In everyday usage, it can refer to a person who engages in dishonest behavior or can be used colloquially to describe something that is extremely bad or annoying.
Strokes10Radical贝Frequency#3212DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a 'thief' or 贼 has historical significance, often appearing in literature and folklore as a character embodying moral failings, reflecting society's emphasis on integrity and honesty.
Memory tip
Imagine a sly fox (the shape of 贼 resembles a fox) sneaking into a henhouse to steal eggs. The sound 'zéi' could remind you of the sneaky whispers of a thief, making it easier to remember both the sound and the meaning.
Meanings of 贼
zéi(zei2)
1thief
2traitor
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 贼 means.
About 贼
贼Simplified
賊Traditional
10Strokes
贝Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#3212Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 贼
Podcast: 贼
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AI study notes for 贼
Quick Contrast
盗 (dào) - use 贼 (zéi) when emphasizing deceitfulness or treachery, while 盗 (dào) focuses more on the act of stealing.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 贼 in formal contexts; it is generally more informal and may carry a negative connotation. Common collocations include 贼人 (thief) and 贼心 (deceitful intentions). Note that the tone is crucial; using the wrong tone can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 贼 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to crime and morality. Focus on its usage in idiomatic expressions and in literature to understand its nuanced meanings in different contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 贼 (thief) with 小偷 (petty thief), using them interchangeably. Instead, remember that 贼 has a broader meaning and can imply deceitfulness or treachery beyond just theft.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 贼
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 贼 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
贼 = 戎 + 贝. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 贼
IDS Structure⿰贝戎
贼Full character
=
贝Bei4
left
戎Rong2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 贼?
How to say thief in Chinese
“thief” in Chinese is贼zéi
The character 贼 (zéi) primarily means 'thief' or 'traitor.' It can also describe someone who is deceitful or cunning. In everyday usage, it can refer to a person who engages in dishonest behavior or can be used colloquially to describe something that is extremely bad or annoying.
When to use 贼
Be cautious when using 贼 in formal contexts; it is generally more informal and may carry a negative connotation. Common collocations include 贼人 (thief) and 贼心 (deceitful intentions). Note that the tone is crucial; using the wrong tone can change the meaning.
贼 or something close to it
盗 (dào) - use 贼 (zéi) when emphasizing deceitfulness or treachery, while 盗 (dào) focuses more on the act of stealing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 贼 (thief) with 小偷 (petty thief), using them interchangeably. Instead, remember that 贼 has a broader meaning and can imply deceitfulness or treachery beyond just theft.
Write 贼
贼
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Practice writing 贼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 贼
贼 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). It carries 7 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 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
用木板封好窗户,防止盗____进入.
The windows are boarded up to prevent the thieves from breaking in.
