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辫子 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
辫子biànziplaitHSK 7, n, 20 strokes, rank #11171, Very Hard
辫子biànzibraidHSK 7, n, 20 strokes, rank #11171, Very Hard
辫子biànzipigtailHSK 7, n, 20 strokes, rank #11171, Very Hard
辫子biànzia mistake or shortcoming that may be exploited by an opponentHSK 7, n, 20 strokes, rank #11171, Very Hard
辫子biànzihandleHSK 7, n, 20 strokes, rank #11171, Very Hard
biànzi(bian4zi5) T4
  1. 1plait
  2. 2braid
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

辫子(辮子)biànzi(bian4zi5)

辫子 (biànzi) refers primarily to a braid or plait, often used to describe a hairstyle involving intertwined hair strands. Additionally, it can metaphorically denote a flaw or shortcoming that someone might take advantage of, reflecting a dual meaning in both physical and abstract contexts.

Strokes20Frequency#11171DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, braids have historical significance, often associated with ethnic identity, particularly among the Han and various minority groups. Additionally, braiding hair can symbolize femininity or childhood innocence.

Memory Tip

Imagine two strands of hair weaving together to form a braid, resembling a 'bent' (辫) shape. The word 'zi' can remind you of 'zip,' as in zipping together strands of hair. Picture a person with a beautiful braid at one end and a sign saying 'Don't let your flaws be your downfall' at the other.

Meanings of 辫子

biànzi(bian4zi5)
1plait
2braid
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 辫子

辫子Simplified
辮子Traditional
20Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#11171Frequency Rank
根Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 辫子

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Podcast: 辫子

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AI Study Notes for 辫子

Quick Contrast

辫子 (biànzi) vs 发辫 (fàbiàn): use 辫子 for general braids, while 发辫 specifically refers to hair braids.

Usage Notes

辫子 is generally used in informal contexts, especially among younger generations. Common collocations include 辫子头 (braided hairstyle) and 辫子女孩 (braided girl). Be careful with the tones; the first character is pronounced with a falling tone, and the second with a neutral tone.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 辫子 connects with other advanced vocabulary about hair and fashion. Focus on understanding its dual meanings and practice using it in different contexts, especially in conversational Chinese about personal appearance.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 辫子 with 头发 (tóufa) which means 'hair' in general. For example, saying '我喜欢她的头发' (I like her hair) when they mean 'braid' should use 辫子 instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 辫子

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Component Characters

辫biàna braid or queue
17 strokes辛
View full entry
子zison
HSK 33 strokes子
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How to say plait in Chinese

“plait” in Chinese is辫子biànzi

辫子 (biànzi) refers primarily to a braid or plait, often used to describe a hairstyle involving intertwined hair strands. Additionally, it can metaphorically denote a flaw or shortcoming that someone might take advantage of, reflecting a dual meaning in both physical and abstract contexts.

When to use 辫子

辫子 is generally used in informal contexts, especially among younger generations. Common collocations include 辫子头 (braided hairstyle) and 辫子女孩 (braided girl). Be careful with the tones; the first character is pronounced with a falling tone, and the second with a neutral tone.

辫子 or something close to it

辫子 (biànzi) vs 发辫 (fàbiàn): use 辫子 for general braids, while 发辫 specifically refers to hair braids.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 辫子 with 头发 (tóufa) which means 'hair' in general. For example, saying '我喜欢她的头发' (I like her hair) when they mean 'braid' should use 辫子 instead.

Write 辫子

辫
子

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 辫子

You can say, '她的辫子编得很漂亮' (Her braid is beautifully done).

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