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備 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
備bèito prepare; to get ready, to equip; ready; perfectzg, 12 strokes, radical 亻
bèi(bei4) T4
  1. 1to prepare; to get ready, to equip; ready; perfect
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March 24, 2026

備bèi(bei4)

The character 備 (bèi) primarily means 'to prepare' or 'to get ready.' It is often used in contexts where one needs to equip themselves with necessary items or skills, as well as in phrases indicating that something is ready or perfected.

Strokes12Radical亻
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, preparation is highly valued, especially in contexts like weddings and festivals where everything must be perfectly arranged. The concept of 備 also ties into traditional practices such as preparing food for family gatherings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a chef preparing a perfect meal in a kitchen. The radical 備 resembles a chef's hat, symbolizing readiness and preparation. The pronunciation 'bèi' can be linked to 'bait,' as in preparing bait for fishing, which requires getting ready for the catch.

Meanings of 備

bèi(bei4)
1to prepare; to get ready, to equip; ready; perfect
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 備

備Simplified
12Strokes
亻Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 備

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Podcast: 備

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AI Study Notes for 備

Quick Contrast

准备 (zhǔnbèi, to prepare) vs 整备 (zhěngbèi, to overhaul) — use 備 (bèi) for general readiness, while 整备 (zhěngbèi) implies a more thorough or systematic preparation.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone, as 'bèi' has a falling tone that can be confused with similar-sounding characters. Common collocations include 備妥 (bèi tuǒ - to be fully prepared) and 備份 (bèi fèn - backup). It's used in both formal and informal registers, but context matters.

HSK Study Tips

Though 備 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with HSK Level 4 words like 准备 (zhǔn bèi - to prepare) and 设备 (shè bèi - equipment). Focus on its usage in various contexts to solidify understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 備 with 备 (also pronounced bèi), which is a simplified version used in Mainland China. For example, saying '我准备了備品' (Wǒ zhǔnbèile bèipǐn) is incorrect; it should be '我准备了备品' using the simplified form.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 備

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Etymology of 備

Explanation

Simplified form of 備. Pictograph of a container for holding arrows, which helped in preparation for battle. The 亻 (person) component was added later. The traditional component 亻 was removed for simplification.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 備?

Decomposition of 備

IDS Structure⿰亻?
備Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
Exercise 1 of 1

Parts

Which of these is part of 備?

How to say to prepare; to get ready, to equip; ready; perfect in Chinese

“to prepare; to get ready, to equip; ready; perfect” in Chinese is備bèi

The character 備 (bèi) primarily means 'to prepare' or 'to get ready.' It is often used in contexts where one needs to equip themselves with necessary items or skills, as well as in phrases indicating that something is ready or perfected.

When to use 備

Be cautious with the tone, as 'bèi' has a falling tone that can be confused with similar-sounding characters. Common collocations include 備妥 (bèi tuǒ - to be fully prepared) and 備份 (bèi fèn - backup). It's used in both formal and informal registers, but context matters.

備 or something close to it

准备 (zhǔnbèi, to prepare) vs 整备 (zhěngbèi, to overhaul) — use 備 (bèi) for general readiness, while 整备 (zhěngbèi) implies a more thorough or systematic preparation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 備 with 备 (also pronounced bèi), which is a simplified version used in Mainland China. For example, saying '我准备了備品' (Wǒ zhǔnbèile bèipǐn) is incorrect; it should be '我准备了备品' using the simplified form.

Write 備

備

Practice writing 備 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 備

Words Containing This Character20
准备zhǔnbèipreparation準備
设备shèbèiequipment設備
装备zhuāngbèiequipment裝備
具备jùbèito possess具備
备bèito prepare備
储备chǔbèireserves儲備
配备pèibèito allocate配備
后备hòubèireserve後備
筹备chóubèipreparations籌備
预备yùbèito prepare預備
备用bèiyòngreserve備用
备受bèishòuto fully experience (good or bad)備受
备战prepared against war備戰
必备essential必備
备案to file備案
备忘录bèiwànglùmemorandum備忘錄
责备zébèito blame責備
制备to prepare製備
备份bèifènbackup備份
戒备jièbèito take precautions戒備
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 備

What does 准备 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 備

It is pronounced as 'bèi' with a falling tone.

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