琵 meaning and stroke order
A guitar-like instrument (1)
How to write 琵, stroke by stroke
12 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 琵
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- see 琵琶, pipa lute
How 琵 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Guitar strings.
玨 gives the meaning and 比 hints at the sound.
Radical: 王 (king), shared by 104 characters on this site.
How to remember 琵
The top part 玨 looks like two 王 side by side, which the hint reads as a row of guitar strings. Underneath, 比 (bǐ) gives the sound, so think of strings sitting above a body that says pí.
琵 almost never appears alone. It lives inside the word 琵琶 (pípa), the Chinese pipa lute. Example: 她会弹琵琶。(Tā huì tán pípa.) She can play the pipa.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 琵 (pí) and 琶 (pá) because both share the 玨 top. Remember the order 琵琶: the one with 比 comes first and says pí, the one with 巴 (bā) comes second and says pá.
琵 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 琵
How many strokes are in 琵?
琵 is written with 12 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 琵 mean?
琵 (pí) means a guitar-like instrument (1).
How do you pronounce 琵?
琵 is pronounced pí, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 琵?
The radical of 琵 is 王, which carries the idea of "king". Dictionaries list 琵 under this radical.
Why is the second syllable of 琵琶 often written without a tone?
In everyday speech 琶 in 琵琶 is usually read with a neutral tone, so you hear pípa. Some dictionaries list pípá, and both are understood.
What verb do you use with 琵琶?
Use 弹 (tán), meaning to pluck or play a string instrument, as in 弹琵琶 (tán pípa). Do not use 打 or 玩 for playing this instrument.