Meaning of 边
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- side
- edge
- margin
- border
- boundary
- simultaneously
Measure word: 個|个
- suffix of a noun of locality
How to use 边
As a locality suffix it is usually neutral tone (bian), as in 左边 (zuǒbian) and 右边 (yòubian), while in words like 旁边 (pángbiān) and 那边 (nàbiān) it is often still said with first tone. The pattern 一边…一边… means doing two things at the same time. Example: 他一边吃饭一边看电视。(Tā yībiān chīfàn yībiān kàn diànshì.) He watches TV while eating.
边 is built from 辶, the walking radical, plus 力 (lì, strength). Picture someone walking with effort until they reach the edge or border of a place.
Common mistake: Learners often write 力 as 刀 inside 边, which gives the wrong character. Another trap is putting the place word in English order: say 桌子旁边 (zhuōzi pángbiān), not 旁边桌子, for "next to the table."
边 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.
边 biān · side · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 边.
| 那边 | nàbiān | over there; yonder |
| 这边 | zhèbiān | this side; here |
| 一边 | yībiān | one side; either side |
| 旁边 | pángbiān | side; adjacent place |
| 左边 | zuǒbian | left; the left side |
| 右边 | yòubian | right side; right, to the right |
| 里边 | lǐbian | inside |
| 北边 | běibian | north; north side |
| 外边 | wàibian | outside; outer surface |
| 南边 | nánbian | south; south side |
| 东边 | dōngbian | east; east side |
| 西边 | xībian | west; west side |
Questions about 边
What does 边 mean?
边 (biān) means "side; edge" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 边?
边 is made of 1 character: 边 (5 strokes). That is 5 strokes in total.
Is 边 an HSK word?
Yes. 边 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 边 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 边 is written 邊.
What is the difference between 这边 and 这里?
Both can mean "here." 这边 (zhèbiān) leans toward "this side" or "this direction," while 这里 (zhèlǐ) points to a specific spot. In casual speech they are often interchangeable.
Can 一边 be used only once in a sentence?
Yes. On its own, 一边 (yībiān) can mean "one side," as in 站在一边 (zhàn zài yībiān), stand to one side. The "while" meaning needs the paired 一边…一边… pattern, though casual speech may shorten it to 边…边….