陛 meaning and stroke order
Throne; steps leading to the throne
How to write 陛, stroke by stroke
9 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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- 9
Meaning of 陛
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- the steps to the throne
How 陛 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Hill.
阝 gives the meaning and 坒 hints at the sound.
Radical: 阝 (place), shared by 160 characters on this site.
How to remember 陛
The left side 阝 means hill, so picture a raised mound of steps. The right side 坒 (bì) gives the sound, and it even contains 土 (earth), like stacked earthen stairs leading up to the throne.
Today 陛 almost only appears in the word 陛下 (bìxià), a respectful way to address or refer to a monarch. You will see it mostly in historical dramas, novels, and news about royalty. Example: 陛下，臣有事启奏。(Bìxià, chén yǒu shì qǐzòu.) Your Majesty, your servant has a matter to report.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 陛 with 阶 (jiē, steps), since both use 阝 and relate to stairs. Also, 陛 is fourth tone bì, so do not read it as bǐ by guessing from 比 inside the phonetic part.
Common words with 陛
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 陛下 | bìxià | Your Majesty; His or Her Majesty |
Questions about 陛
How many strokes are in 陛?
陛 is written with 9 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 陛 mean?
陛 (bì) means throne; steps leading to the throne. A common word with it is 陛下 (bìxià), meaning "Your Majesty; His or Her Majesty".
How do you pronounce 陛?
陛 is pronounced bì, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 陛?
The radical of 陛 is 阝, which carries the idea of "place". Dictionaries list 陛 under this radical.
Why does 陛下 mean Your Majesty if 陛 means steps?
The phrase literally means below the steps. Officials did not address the ruler directly. They spoke toward those standing below the throne steps, and the phrase became a polite title for the ruler.
Can 陛下 be used for any king or queen?
Yes. It is used for emperors, kings, and queens, including foreign monarchs, for example 女王陛下 (nǚwáng bìxià), Her Majesty the Queen. For a prince or princess, Chinese uses 殿下 (diànxià) instead.