唄 meaning and stroke order
Final particle of an assertion
How to write 唄, stroke by stroke
10 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 唄
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- (bound form) to chant (from Sanskrit "pāṭhaka")
- modal particle indicating lack of enthusiasm
- modal particle indicating that things should only or can only be done a certain way
How 唄 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Mouth.
口 gives the meaning and 貝 hints at the sound.
Radical: 口 (mouth), shared by 428 characters on this site.
How to remember 唄
A mouth 口 next to a shell 貝 (bèi): the shell gives the sound bei, and the mouth tells you it is something you say. Picture someone shrugging and saying a lazy little "bei" at the end of a sentence.
As a neutral-tone particle, 唄 (bei) ends a sentence to sound casual, resigned, or like "well, just do it then." It is very common in northern spoken Chinese, and the simplified form is 呗. Example: 不想去就别去唄。(Bù xiǎng qù jiù bié qù bei.) If you don't want to go, then just don't go.
Common mistake: Learners often say it with a full fourth tone like 貝 (bèi), but as a particle it is read in the neutral tone, short and light. Also do not confuse it with 吧 (ba). 唄 sounds more offhand and a bit impatient, so it can come across as rude in polite situations.
Questions about 唄
How many strokes are in 唄?
唄 is written with 10 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 唄 mean?
唄 (bei) means final particle of an assertion.
How do you pronounce 唄?
唄 is pronounced bei, in the neutral tone (short and light).
What is the radical of 唄?
The radical of 唄 is 口, which carries the idea of "mouth". Dictionaries list 唄 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 唄?
唄 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 呗, used in mainland China and Singapore.
When is 唄 read bài instead of bei?
It is read bài only in Buddhist contexts, meaning to chant, as in 梵唄 (fànbài), Buddhist chanting. This sense comes from Sanskrit. In everyday speech you will almost always hear the particle bei.
Is 唄 okay to use in formal writing?
Not really. It is a colloquial spoken particle that shows a casual or resigned attitude. In formal writing or polite speech, rephrase the sentence or use a softer particle like 吧 (ba).