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孛 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
孛bèicometzg, 7 strokes, radical 子, rank #16041, Very Hard
bèi(bei4) T4
  1. 1comet
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

孛bèi(bei4)

The character 孛 (bèi) refers specifically to a comet, which is a celestial object composed of ice, dust, and gas that orbits the sun. In ancient Chinese astronomy, comets were often seen as omens or significant events in the sky, making this term carry a sense of wonder and respect for astronomical phenomena.

Strokes7Radical子Frequency#16041DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, comets were often interpreted as omens of change, impacting political and social events. This belief highlights the historical significance placed on celestial events in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Think of the character 孛 (bèi) as a 'comet' that 'breaks' through the sky. The '子' (zǐ) at the bottom resembles a star, while the '丿' (piě) at the top can remind you of the comet's tail streaking across the night.

Meanings of 孛

bèi(bei4)
1comet
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 孛

孛Simplified
7Strokes
子Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 孛

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Podcast: 孛

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AI Study Notes for 孛

Usage Notes

While 孛 (bèi) is the technical term for a comet, in everyday conversation, people might simply refer to celestial objects more generally. Be cautious with pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other terms.

HSK Study Tips

As 孛 (bèi) is not a commonly used word in daily conversation, students should focus on understanding its astronomical context. It can be connected to other terms related to nature and space, which may appear in advanced HSK levels.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 孛 (bèi) with similar-sounding characters like 背 (bèi), which means 'to carry' or 'back.' Ensure you practice the correct pronunciation and context to avoid this mix-up.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 孛

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Etymology of 孛

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 孛

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

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Decomposition of 孛

IDS Structure⿱十⿱冖子
孛Full Character
=
十shi2
top
冖mi4
top
子zi3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 孛?

How to say comet in Chinese

“comet” in Chinese is孛bèi

The character 孛 (bèi) refers specifically to a comet, which is a celestial object composed of ice, dust, and gas that orbits the sun. In ancient Chinese astronomy, comets were often seen as omens or significant events in the sky, making this term carry a sense of wonder and respect for astronomical phenomena.

When to use 孛

While 孛 (bèi) is the technical term for a comet, in everyday conversation, people might simply refer to celestial objects more generally. Be cautious with pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other terms.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 孛 (bèi) with similar-sounding characters like 背 (bèi), which means 'to carry' or 'back.' Ensure you practice the correct pronunciation and context to avoid this mix-up.

Write 孛

孛

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 孛

Words Containing This Character1
孛bèicomet
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 孛 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 孛

It is pronounced as bèi, with a falling tone.

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