HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #21932, Hard
脾
pí
spleen, pancreas; temper, disposition
HSK 7, n, 12 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #21932, Hard
pí(pi2) T2
1spleen
2spleen, pancreas; temper, disposition
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March 24, 2026
脾pí(pi2)
The character 脾 (pí) primarily refers to the spleen, an organ that plays a key role in the body's immune system and blood filtration. It can also denote the pancreas in certain contexts, and it is used metaphorically to describe one's temper or disposition, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine where organ health is linked to emotional states.
Strokes12Radical⺼Frequency#21932DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the health of the spleen is believed to affect not only physical well-being but also emotional stability, linking it to one's temperament. Therefore, people often consider the state of their spleen when discussing mood or emotional issues.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'pie' (sounds like 'pí') that represents the spleen, as it is often associated with digestion and health. Visualize a pie chart where the spleen is a major segment, indicating its importance in both physical health and emotional balance.
Meanings of 脾
pí(pi2)
1spleen
2spleen, pancreas; temper, disposition
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 脾
脾Simplified
12Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#21932Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 脾
Podcast: 脾
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AI Study Notes for 脾
Quick Contrast
脾 (spleen) vs 胆 (gallbladder) — choose 脾 when referring to the spleen specifically, especially in the context of traditional Chinese medicine.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'pie' (sounds like 'pí') that represents the spleen, as it is often associated with digestion and health. Visualize a pie chart where the spleen is a major segment, indicating its importance in both physical health and emotional balance.
Usage Notes
In medical or anatomical contexts, 脾 is used specifically for the spleen, while in everyday conversation, it can refer to emotional states. Learners should be careful not to confuse it with the character for 'liver' (肝, gān), which is another organ related to temper. Additionally, when using 脾 in idiomatic expressions, it's often found in phrases that describe someone's character or mood.
HSK Study Tips
Although 脾 is not listed in the HSK levels, it is important for learners at higher levels, especially those studying traditional Chinese medicine. Students should focus on the connections between physical health and emotional states in Chinese culture, which can deepen their understanding of vocabulary related to health.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the health of the spleen is believed to affect not only physical well-being but also emotional stability, linking it to one's temperament. Therefore, people often consider the state of their spleen when discussing mood or emotional issues.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 脾 (spleen) with 肝 (gān, liver) due to their similar roles in traditional medicine. A common mistake is using 脾 when referring to liver health, which should be expressed with 肝.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 脾
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Grammar Patterns of 脾
脾 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 2 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.
rén rén dū pèi fú tā de nài xīn hé yǒng bù shuāi jiǎn de hǎo pí qì。
Everyone admired her patience and unfailing good humour.
5
他有一副能把所有人都吓得那个什么滚什么流的火爆脾气。
tā yǒu yī fù néng bǎ suǒ yǒu rén dū xià dé nà gè shí mó gǔn shí mó liú de huǒ bào pí qì。
He's got that fiery temper which scares the whatsit out of everybody.
6
他唯一的缺点就是他那脾气。
tā wéi yī de quē diǎn jiù shì tā nà pí qì。
His only weakness is his temperament.
7
米克既固执又专横，脾气还很坏。
mǐ kè jì gù zhí yòu zhuān héng， ， pí qì huán hěn。
Mick was stubborn and domineering with a very bad temper.
8
尼克出现头痛时脾气就变得很差，甚至还会动粗。
ní kè chū xiàn tóu tòng shí pí qì jiù biàn dé hěn chà， ， shèn zhì huán huì dòng。
When his headaches developed Nick became bad-tempered and even violent.
9
她脾气变得更坏，对他的依赖更重了。
tā pí qì biàn dé gēng huài， ， duì tā de yī lài gēng zhòng。
She had grown ever more peevishly dependent on him.
10
这样大发脾气与他所树立的个人形象不相称。
zhè yàng dà fā pí qì yǔ tā suǒ shù lì de gè rén xíng xiàng bù xiāng chēng。
The outburst was inconsistent with the image he has cultivated.
Cultural Notes for 脾
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the health of the spleen is believed to affect not only physical well-being but also emotional stability, linking it to one's temperament. Therefore, people often consider the state of their spleen when discussing mood or emotional issues.
Word Family of 脾
Words Containing This Character9
脾气píqicharacter脾氣
发脾气fāpíqìto get angry發脾氣
脾píspleen
脾脏spleen脾臟
脾胃preferences
沁人心脾to gladden the heart
牛脾气stubborn牛脾氣
闹脾气to get angry鬧脾氣
耍脾气to go into a huff耍脾氣
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 脾气 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 脾
Yes, 脾 is an important concept in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it is believed to play a key role in digestion and overall health. TCM practitioners often discuss the health of the 脾 to address issues related to digestion and energy levels.
Besides meaning 'spleen,' 脾 can also refer to the pancreas in a medical context. Additionally, it denotes a person's temper or disposition in everyday conversation, highlighting its versatility in usage.
To use 脾 in a sentence, you might say, '他的脾气很好' (Tā de píqì hěn hǎo), which translates to 'He has a good temperament.' This showcases how 脾 can relate to a person's disposition, while in medical contexts, you might encounter it referring to anatomical discussions.
脾 (pí) primarily means 'spleen' in Chinese, which refers to the organ associated with digestion and immune function. Additionally, it can refer to the pancreas or describe a person's temperament and disposition. Understanding its usage in different contexts is crucial for learners.
In a medical context, 脾 refers to the spleen, which is an important organ in the immune system.
Yes, 脾 can describe one's temper or disposition, especially in the context of traditional Chinese medicine.
