Meaning of 必需
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to need
- to require
- essential
- indispensable
How to use 必需
必需 describes things that are essential or indispensable, and it often appears before 的 or in the set phrase 必需品 (bìxūpǐn, necessities). Example: 水是生活必需的。(Shuǐ shì shēnghuó bìxū de.) Water is essential for life.
必 (bì) means "certainly" and 需 (xū) means "to need," so 必需 is something you certainly need. Think of it as a need you cannot skip.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 必需 with 必须 (bìxū), which sounds exactly the same but means "must" and comes before a verb, as in 你必须去 (you must go). Use 必需 for things that are needed, and 必须 for actions someone has to do.
必需 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
必 bì · certainly · 5 strokes
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需 xū · to require · 14 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 必需.
| 必须 | bìxū | must; to have to |
| 需要 | xūyào | to need; to want; to demand; to require; needs |
| 必要 | bìyào | necessary; essential |
| 不必 | bùbì | need not; does not have to |
| 需求 | xūqiú | requirement; to require |
| 必然 | bìrán | inevitable; certain |
| 未必 | wèibì | not necessarily; maybe not |
| 必将 | bìjiāng | inevitably |
| 必修 | bìxiū | (of an academic course) required; compulsory |
| 何必 | hébì | there is no need; why should |
| 必定 | bìdìng | to be bound to; to be sure to |
| 务必 | wùbì | must; to need to |
Questions about 必需
What does 必需 mean?
必需 (bìxū) means "to need; to require" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 必需?
必需 is made of 2 characters: 必 (5 strokes), 需 (14 strokes). That is 19 strokes in total.
Is 必需 an HSK word?
Yes. 必需 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 必需 and 必要?
必需 focuses on something being indispensable, usually a thing or resource, like 必需品 (necessities). 必要 (bìyào) means "necessary" in a broader sense and often describes whether an action or measure is needed, as in 没有必要 (there is no need).
Can 必需 be followed directly by a verb?
Usually no. Before a verb you should use 必须, as in 必须完成 (must finish). 必需 is mostly used with nouns or as a description, such as 必需的工具 (essential tools).