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March 24, 2026
比赛(比賽)bǐsài(bi3sai4)
比赛 (bǐsài) refers to a competition or match, typically in a sports context. It can be used to describe various competitive events where individuals or teams compete against each other to achieve a goal or win. The term is widely used in both formal and informal settings, encompassing various types of contests.
Frequency#331DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In China, competitions are often seen as a way to foster teamwork and community spirit, especially in school settings. Events like the National Sports Games highlight the importance of competition in promoting physical health and national pride.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'bee' (sounds like 'bi') buzzing around a 'sight' (sounds like 'sai') where athletes are competing. The 'bee' represents the participants, and the 'sight' symbolizes the competition venue. Visualize the bee winning the race, which helps connect the sound and meaning of 比赛.
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AI Study Notes for 比赛
Quick Contrast
竞赛 (jìngsài) refers to a competition with a more formal or structured format, while 比赛 (bǐsài) can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'bee' (sounds like 'bi') buzzing around a 'sight' (sounds like 'sai') where athletes are competing. The 'bee' represents the participants, and the 'sight' symbolizes the competition venue. Visualize the bee winning the race, which helps connect the sound and meaning of 比赛.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tones in 比赛: the first character is pronounced with a falling tone (bǐ) and the second with a falling tone (sài). Common collocations include '体育比赛' (sports competition) and '比赛结果' (competition results). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts, as it is more suited to conversational or semi-formal language.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 比赛 connects well with other terms related to sports and events, such as '运动' (yùndòng, sports) and '球队' (qiúduì, team). Students should focus on using it in sentences to describe various competitions they are familiar with.
Cultural Note
In China, competitions are often seen as a way to foster teamwork and community spirit, especially in school settings. Events like the National Sports Games highlight the importance of competition in promoting physical health and national pride.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 比赛 with 竞赛, thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '我去参加一个音乐竞赛' (Wǒ qù cānjiā yīgè yīnyuè bǐsài) is incorrect; it should be '我去参加一个音乐比赛' (Wǒ qù cānjiā yīgè yīnyuè bǐsài) to maintain the correct context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 比赛
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Grammar Patterns of 比赛
比赛 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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.
In China, competitions are often seen as a way to foster teamwork and community spirit, especially in school settings. Events like the National Sports Games highlight the importance of competition in promoting physical health and national pride.
Frequently Asked Questions about 比赛
You can say '我参加了一个篮球比赛' (Wǒ cānjiāle yīgè lánqiú bǐsài), meaning 'I participated in a basketball competition.'
比赛 is generally used for sports matches, while 竞赛 can refer to competitions in a broader sense, including academic contests.
Yes, it can describe any competitive event, such as a contest in music or art, but is primarily associated with sports.
