批 meaning and stroke order
To ascertain; to act on; to criticize
How to write 批, stroke by stroke
7 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 批
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to ascertain
- to act on
- to criticize
- to pass on
- classifier for batches, lots, military flights
- tier (for the ranking of universities and colleges)
How 批 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Hand.
扌 gives the meaning and 比 hints at the sound.
Radical: 扌 (hand), shared by 342 characters on this site.
How to remember 批
批 is a hand 扌 next to 比 (bǐ), which gives the sound and means to compare. Picture a hand comparing items side by side, then writing a comment on them or sorting them into batches.
批 appears in verbs about judging and approving, like 批评 (pīpíng) to criticize and 批准 (pīzhǔn) to approve. It is also a measure word for batches of goods or groups of people. Example: 这批货明天到。(Zhè pī huò míngtiān dào.) This batch of goods arrives tomorrow.
Common mistake: Learners often say 批 with a third tone because 比 is bǐ, but 批 is first tone pī. Also do not confuse it with 比 alone, which lacks the hand radical and means to compare.
Common words with 批
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
批 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 批
How many strokes are in 批?
批 is written with 7 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 批 mean?
批 (pī) means to ascertain; to act on; to criticize. A common word with it is 批准 (pīzhǔn), meaning "to approve; to ratify".
How do you pronounce 批?
批 is pronounced pī, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 批?
The radical of 批 is 扌, which carries the idea of "hand". Dictionaries list 批 under this radical.
Is 批 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 批 is part of the HSK 3 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
Does 批评 always mean harsh criticism?
Not always. 批评 can be a mild correction, like a teacher pointing out a mistake. 批判 (pīpàn) is stronger and suggests a formal or ideological critique.
How is 批 used as a measure word compared with 群 or 些?
批 counts a group handled together as one unit, such as a shipment, a round of hiring, or 第一批学生 (dì yī pī xuésheng) the first group of students. 群 is for a crowd or flock, and 些 just means some.