HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #23483, Very Hard
碑
bēi
an upright stone tablet
HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #23483, Very Hard
碑
bēi
stele
HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #23483, Very Hard
碑
bēi
stone tablet; gravestone
HSK 7, n, 13 strokes, radical 石, rank #23483, Very Hard
bēi(bei1) T1
1a monument
2an upright stone tablet
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March 24, 2026
碑bēi(bei1)
The character 碑 (bēi) refers to a monument or an upright stone tablet, often inscribed with text. Commonly found in historical contexts, it serves as a memorial or a way to commemorate significant events or figures in Chinese history.
Strokes13Radical石Frequency#23483DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, stele inscriptions are significant, often used to honor ancestors or document important events in a community's history. The practice of erecting steles dates back thousands of years and continues to be a way to preserve cultural memory.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large, flat stone (the radical 石, meaning 'stone') standing upright in a park, much like a giant book that tells the story of a great hero. The sound 'bēi' can be associated with the English word 'bay,' where you might find a historical monument by the water.
Meanings of 碑
bēi(bei1)
1a monument
2an upright stone tablet
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 碑
碑Simplified
13Strokes
石Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#23483Frequency Rank
块Measure Word
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 碑
Podcast: 碑
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AI Study Notes for 碑
Quick Contrast
碑 (bēi) vs 牌 (pái) — use 碑 for stone tablets or monuments, while 牌 refers to signs or plaques.
Usage Notes
This term is often used in formal contexts, like literature or historical discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with other similar characters for tablets or stones, such as 石 (shí) or碑文 (bēiwén, meaning 'inscription on a stele'). Pay attention to the tone; 'bēi' has a high level tone, which is crucial for clarity.
HSK Study Tips
Although 碑 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects to vocabulary related to history and memorials, often studied alongside terms like 纪念 (jìniàn, 'commemorate') or 墓 (mù, 'grave'). Focus on understanding its context in historical literature.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misplace the tone, saying 'bei' instead of 'bēi', which alters the meaning. Another common error is using 碑 in casual conversation, where simpler terms might be more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 碑
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Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 卑 represents the sound.
1The meaning half石 carries the sense.
2The sound half卑 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaystone
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 碑? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 碑?
Decomposition of 碑
IDS Structure⿰石卑
碑Full Character
=
石dan4
left
卑bei1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 碑?
How to say a monument in Chinese
“a monument” in Chinese is碑bēi
The character 碑 (bēi) refers to a monument or an upright stone tablet, often inscribed with text. Commonly found in historical contexts, it serves as a memorial or a way to commemorate significant events or figures in Chinese history.
When to use 碑
This term is often used in formal contexts, like literature or historical discussions. A common mistake is confusing it with other similar characters for tablets or stones, such as 石 (shí) or碑文 (bēiwén, meaning 'inscription on a stele'). Pay attention to the tone; 'bēi' has a high level tone, which is crucial for clarity.
碑 or something close to it
碑 (bēi) vs 牌 (pái) — use 碑 for stone tablets or monuments, while 牌 refers to signs or plaques.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misplace the tone, saying 'bei' instead of 'bēi', which alters the meaning. Another common error is using 碑 in casual conversation, where simpler terms might be more appropriate.
Write 碑
碑
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Practice writing 碑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 碑
碑 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 4 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.
