Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
贼(賊)zéi(zei2)
The character 贼 (zéi) primarily means 'thief' or 'traitor.' It can also describe someone who is deceitful or cunning. In everyday usage, it can refer to a person who engages in dishonest behavior or can be used colloquially to describe something that is extremely bad or annoying.
Strokes10Radical贝Frequency#3212DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a 'thief' or 贼 has historical significance, often appearing in literature and folklore as a character embodying moral failings, reflecting society's emphasis on integrity and honesty.
Memory Tip
Imagine a sly fox (the shape of 贼 resembles a fox) sneaking into a henhouse to steal eggs. The sound 'zéi' could remind you of the sneaky whispers of a thief, making it easier to remember both the sound and the meaning.
Meanings of 贼
zéi(zei2)
1thief
2traitor
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 贼
贼Simplified
賊Traditional
10Strokes
贝Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#3212Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 贼
Podcast: 贼
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 贼
Quick Contrast
盗 (dào) - use 贼 (zéi) when emphasizing deceitfulness or treachery, while 盗 (dào) focuses more on the act of stealing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a sly fox (the shape of 贼 resembles a fox) sneaking into a henhouse to steal eggs. The sound 'zéi' could remind you of the sneaky whispers of a thief, making it easier to remember both the sound and the meaning.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 贼 in formal contexts; it is generally more informal and may carry a negative connotation. Common collocations include 贼人 (thief) and 贼心 (deceitful intentions). Note that the tone is crucial; using the wrong tone can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 贼 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to crime and morality. Focus on its usage in idiomatic expressions and in literature to understand its nuanced meanings in different contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a 'thief' or 贼 has historical significance, often appearing in literature and folklore as a character embodying moral failings, reflecting society's emphasis on integrity and honesty.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 贼 (thief) with 小偷 (petty thief), using them interchangeably. Instead, remember that 贼 has a broader meaning and can imply deceitfulness or treachery beyond just theft.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 贼
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 贼 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 贼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 贼
贼 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
用木板封好窗户,防止盗____进入.
The windows are boarded up to prevent the thieves from breaking in.
zhè xiē diǎn dī de qíng kuàng lián xì qǐ lái jiù shǐ rén kàn dé chū shuí shì zéi.
These pieces of information link up to suggest who the thief was.
6
盗贼们为了如何分脏而彼此争吵起来.
dào zéi mén wéi le rú hé fēn zāng ér bǐ cǐ zhēng chǎo qǐ lái.
The thieves quarreled with one another about how to divide the loot.
7
这些贼为分偷来的物品而争吵.
zhè xiē zéi wéi fēn tōu lái de wù pǐn ér zhēng chǎo.
The thieves quarrelled about the division of their stolen goods.
8
对有经验的入室窃贼来说，人们惯常藏钱的那些地方最容易得手。
duì yǒu jīng yàn de rù shì qiè zéi lái shuō， ， rén mén guàn cháng cáng qián de nà xiē dì fāng zuì róng yì dé。
Traditional hiding places are easy pickings for experienced burglars.
9
贼鸥是飞行速度很快的黑色鸟类，尾部长而分叉。
zéi ōu shì fēi háng sù dù hěn kuài de hēi sè niǎo lèi， ， wěi bù cháng ér fēn。
Jaegers are swift black birds with long forked tails.
10
他懂盗贼的黑话.
tā dǒng dào zéi de hēi huà.
He knows thieves'cant.
Cultural Notes for 贼
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of a 'thief' or 贼 has historical significance, often appearing in literature and folklore as a character embodying moral failings, reflecting society's emphasis on integrity and honesty.
Word Family of 贼
Words Containing This Character20
贼zéithief賊
盗贼robber盜賊
海贼pirate海賊
窃贼thief竊賊
乌贼cuttlefish烏賊
飞贼cat burglar飛賊
卖国贼traitor賣國賊
马贼horse thief馬賊
贼船pirate ship賊船
贼心evil intentions賊心
贼窝thieves' lair賊窩
国贼traitor to the nation國賊
做贼心虚to feel guilty as a thief (idiom); to have sth on one's conscience做賊心虛
逆贼renegade逆賊
贼头贼脑furtive賊頭賊腦
贼亮bright賊亮
蟊贼(lit. and fig.) vermin蟊賊
奸贼a traitor奸賊
乱臣贼子rebels and traitors (idiom)亂臣賊子
贼眼shifty gaze賊眼
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 贼 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 贼
No, 贼 can refer to deceitful behavior or betrayal in broader contexts, not just physical theft.
Yes, in colloquial speech, 贼 can emphasize extreme negativity, such as saying '贼难' (extremely difficult).
小偷 (xiǎotōu) specifically refers to a 'pickpocket' or 'petty thief,' while 贼 has a broader meaning, including traitors and deceitful individuals.
